The U.S. men's national team unveiled its 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on May 26, and one name was conspicuously absent: Diego Luna.
The 22-year-old Real Salt Lake midfielder was not just a fan favorite. In 2025, he became one of Mauricio Pochettino's most relied-upon players, recording 16 caps and seven goal contributions across 945 minutes. That stat alone suggested he had earned a seat on the plane to soccer's biggest stage.
The matchup already has enough history; the job is to keep the reading list shorter than the tension.
A Key Piece in the Gold Cup Run
Luna played a pivotal role in the U.S.'s run to the Concacaf Gold Cup final, scoring three goals—including a brace in the 2-1 semifinal victory over Guatemala. His most recent appearance came in November, when he started against Uruguay and found the net in a commanding 5-1 win.
His profile extended beyond the pitch. Luna appeared in World Cup commercial campaigns, USMNT kit ads, and was one of just 20 players featured in the tournament's Panini Sticker Collection.
Early in the season, a knee injury knocked him out for three MLS matches and forced him to miss the March international window. He has since returned to full fitness, contributing four goals and two assists in nine league matches for Salt Lake.
Still, Pochettino left him off the final roster.
What's Left for Luna?
"It's an interesting decision for me," Real Salt Lake manager Pablo Mastroeni said of the exclusion. "In 2025, the national team really leaned on him, both as an attacking player and as a mentality piece."
As of June 1, all roster spots are technically finalized. However, teams can make emergency substitutions from their preliminary 55-player squads up to 24 hours before their first match—if a player suffers an injury. Chris Richards, the U.S. center back, is currently dealing with two torn ligaments in his ankle sustained during a Premier League match for Crystal Palace on May 21. His availability remains uncertain for the tournament opener against Paraguay on June 12.
If Richards cannot play, Luna could receive a late call—despite being a midfielder. The math is simple: Pochettino packed five center backs into the squad but only named four central midfielders. That imbalance might create an opening.
For now, Luna will likely watch from home. But the phone could still ring.