In exactly one week's time, the U.S. men's national team will reveal the final roster of 26 players tasked with bringing the nation to global glory on home soil this summer.
Despite the agonizing hours Pochettino has spent hunched over his notepad, there are a few superstars that do make his job easier—those that are certain to be included in the squad, provided they remain healthy.
Here, Sports Illustrated looks at five USMNT "locks" destined to hear Pochettino call their names next week.
Matt Freese (Goalkeeper)
MLS standout goalkeeper Matt Freese is the likely starter for the Stars and Stripes this summer, but if not, he will most certainly be the No. 2 man behind veteran and 2022 World Cup starter Matt Turner.
Freese, 27, plays for New York City FC, and usurped the starting role from New England Revolution's Turner after the latter had disappointing outings against Mexico and Canada in the 2025 Concacaf Nations League.
Freese made every start thereafter and impressed in the run to the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final, before falling to Mexico 2–1. The 31-year-old Turner did make his first USMNT start since Nations League play during the March international window, though, featuring in the U.S.'s 5–2 loss to Belgium.
The fact that Pochettino chose Freese for the match against the more difficult opponent shows promise that he is expected to start. Freese will be making his World Cup debut, having made his international debut only last June, earning eight wins across his 14 total caps thus far.
He had a swift and unlikely rise through the ranks, given he actually graduated from Harvard University, where he played soccer and studied economics.
Chris Richards (Defender)
The Crystal Palace center back is the commander and stalwart of the U.S.'s backline. He made his senior level debut back in 2020 and has 36 caps.
The 26-year-old is known for his poise on the ball, as well as his dominance in the air and his ability to adjust between Pochettino's shifting backline formations. He was left off of the 2022 World Cup roster due to injury, but was key in the USMNT's Concacaf Nations League victory the following year, opening scoring in the 2–0 title win against Canada with a brilliant header off of a corner kick.
He also shined in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, scoring two more goals off of set pieces, including one header in the final against Mexico. He was voted 2025 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year this January, in large part due to his performance at the Gold Cup.
In the Premier League, he is a consistent force for Crystal Palace, starting 31 matches this season. He has been critically important towards their advancement to the Conference League final.
Folarin Balogun (Striker)
Given the rate at which Folarin Balogun is currently scoring goals, the Monaco striker is bound to make headlines this summer.
Although the 24-year-old has struggled with production at times for the Stars and Stripes, he has more than made up for it as of late, notching 11 goals in the last 14 games across all competitions for his club side, a remarkable run of form that dates back to mid-February.
The battle for the USMNT's starting No. 9 role has intensified this spring, with the likes of Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright also finding the back of the net with ease; however, even they have not been as clinical as Balogun.