U.S. national team manager Mauricio Pochettino announced his official 2026 World Cup roster on Tuesday, tapping the 26 Americans tasked with bringing global glory to home supporters across the nation this summer.
Any opportunity to represent one's country on soccer's most prestigious stage is rare and deeply coveted; however, to do so on home soil is something even fewer players ever get to experience. These 26 men get the dream of a lifetime, as the 2026 edition of the tournament will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The USMNT will exclusively play in the U.S. this summer.
Pochettino, a manager with a legendary résumé that includes leading the likes of European powerhouses Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, is determined to give the U.S. a historic run, even citing a potential semifinal finish.
The Stars and Stripes have only advanced as far as the quarterfinals in the modern era of the World Cup; however, in his effort to rewrite history, Pochettino has left no stone unturned in search of the best group of U.S. players. Since taking over at the helm in Sept. 2024, he has welcomed roughly 80 players to international camps and seen even more on scouting trips. His final selection was meticulously curated.
Goalkeepers
Chris Brady — Club: Chicago Fire (MLS) — Hometown: Naperville, Ill. — Likelihood of Starting: 0.5/10
Still yet to make his debut, Brady has been called up to multiple camps as well as the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. Pochettino may be giving the young goalkeeper just the experience he needs to one day be the main starter for the Stars and Stripes.
Matt Freese — Club: New York City FC (MLS) — Likelihood of Starting: 6/10
Freese had an unlikely and rapid rise to stardom, debuting for the U.S. only last June before usurping the starting role from Matt Turner and impressing in the run to the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final. Only five years ago, Freese was studying economics at Harvard and playing soccer on the side.
Matt Turner — Club: New England Revolution (MLS) — Hometown: Park Ridge, N.J. — Likelihood of Starting: 3.5/10
By far the U.S. goalkeeper with the most experience, Turner was a key starter at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. After a year on the bench, he earned a starting opportunity against Belgium in March's international friendly and should expect some minutes this summer.
Defenders
Max Arfsten — Club: Columbus Crew (MLS) — Hometown: Fresno, Calif. — Likelihood of Starting: 3/10
Arfsten is known for his tactical versatility and ability to seamlessly transition from defensive to attacking duties, playing not only as a traditional fullback, but also as a wing-back or traditional winger. He is also a goal scorer, most recently netting Columbus's game-winner in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals.
Sergiño Dest — Club: PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands Eredivisie) — Hometown: Almere, Netherlands — Likelihood of Starting: 8/10
Pochettino and the entire U.S. Soccer community breathed a sigh of relief when the stalwart right back returned to action last month after eight weeks out with a hamstring injury. Dest is quickly regaining full fitness and returned to Eindhoven's starting lineup before the season ended.
Alex Freeman — Club: Villarreal CF (Spanish La Liga) — Hometown: Baltimore, Md. — Likelihood of Starting: 4/10
Freeman is an attack-minded defender. Similar to Freese, the right back combines offensive instincts with defensive solidity, making him a versatile option for Pochettino's system.