USMNT World Cup roster reportedly revealed as major decisions made
Key Points:
- The U.S. Men's National Team's 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup was reportedly leaked ahead of the official announcement scheduled for Tuesday in New York City, with players informed on Friday to prepare for the tournament starting June 11th.
- The roster includes 13 first-time World Cup selections, highlighting a blend of experienced players and newcomers, with notable inclusions such as Alejandro Zendejas and the injury-questionable Chris Richards.
- Goalkeepers Chris Brady, Matt Freese, and Matt Turner make the squad, while two additional goalkeepers, Diego Kochen and Andrew Kirk, will train with the team but are not on the final roster.
- Several key players, including Diego Luna, Aidan Morris, Yunus Musah, and Josh Sargent, missed out due to competition or injuries, and coach Mauricio Pochettino favored established national team members over emerging talents like Xavier Gozo and Noahkai Banks.
- The final roster must be submitted to FIFA by June 1st, with injury replacements allowed up to 24 hours before the opening match, after which the squad is locked for the World Cup hosted across Mexico, Canada, and the United States.