Head coach Mauricio Pochettino revealed the United States men’s soccer team’s 26-player World Cup roster on Tuesday, with Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie serving as the squad’s cornerstone players for a tournament where Americans are hoping for a strong performance on home turf.
The roster features an equal balance of 13 first-time World Cup participants and 13 veterans from the 2022 Qatar tournament, where the United States advanced to the round of 16. The returning group features the team’s three goal scorers from Qatar: Pulisic, Tim Weah and Haji Wright.
“We are confident this is the best group of 26 players to help us achieve success at the World Cup,” Pochettino stated.
“These were very difficult decisions, and we are thankful to all the players who were part of this journey. This group is very focused and ready to give everything they have to represent the United States and deliver performances that will make the fans and the country proud.”
The AC Milan player Pulisic continues to be the squad’s most prominent figure, while Adams, who captained the 2022 team, brings a fighting spirit and flexibility to the midfield following his campaign with Premier League side Bournemouth.
AS Monaco forward Folarin Balogun is anticipated to vie for the top striker position if the United States deploys Pochettino’s favored 3-4-2-1 system, and may become a crucial offensive weapon this summer.
Despite receiving minimal minutes at Borussia Moenchengladbach this season, Gio Reyna secured his spot, providing the United States with an additional creative attacking option.
Alejandro Zendejas also made the cut following an impressive end to his season with Liga MX team Club America, after being excluded from the March roster.
Two significant absences include Diego Luna, who has been managing an injury, and Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann.
The United States is jointly hosting the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada. This represents the first occasion the nation has welcomed soccer’s premier global competition since 1994.
McKennie expressed that the team has an opportunity to energize a new wave of American supporters.
“It’s a great opportunity for everyone on the roster and also for the fans who maybe don’t know a lot about soccer here in America to feel the passion,” he commented during a roster announcement event in Manhattan.
“I hope that we can make people fall in love with the game here and maybe be able to etch our names in the history books.”
The United States will begin their Group D matches against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles.
