According to various media outlets, midfielder Tanner Tessmann has been excluded from the U.S. men’s national soccer team’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Many observers had viewed Tessmann as a likely starter after he took part in six training camps under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
The 24-year-old player, known for his versatility, appeared in five of nine Europa League matches and started 22 of 29 Ligue 1 contests for Lyon during the current season. His campaign ended on May 8 due to a muscle injury that wasn’t anticipated to affect his World Cup participation, according to The Athletic.
Diego Luna also failed to secure a spot on the 26-player squad despite recording four goals and four assists across 18 matches since joining under Pochettino in 2024. Luna, who has been managing a muscle injury, gained recognition for his tough playing style, exemplified when he continued playing in a friendly match against Costa Rica last year after suffering a broken nose.
Club América winger Alejandro Zendejas earned selection despite his last USMNT appearance being in October. He was included in four of Pochettino’s squads during 2024 and 2025 and has tallied 12 goals plus 7 assists in 28 Liga MX games this season, starting 23 of those contests.
Gio Reyna will reportedly join the American squad for the tournament beginning June 11.
The 23-year-old possesses strong playmaking abilities, though his selection by Pochettino has sparked debate due to his injury-prone career, poor club form, and previous behavioral concerns with the national team. This season, Reyna started only four games and participated in 19 total matches for Borussia Monchengladbach, scoring once with zero assists.
Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan reportedly earned a roster spot, alongside three players who were absent from the 2022 World Cup team: center backs Miles Robinson and Chris Richards, who were injured four years ago, and forward Ricardo Pepi, who was reportedly among the final players cut from the previous World Cup squad.
Fifty percent of the current U.S. squad competed in the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar.
Pochettino plans to formally reveal the roster during a Tuesday event in New York City.
The United States, co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico, will compete in Group D against Paraguay, Australia and Turkey. Their opening match is scheduled for June 12 versus Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
UNITED STATES WORLD CUP ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Matt Freese, Chris Brady, Matt Turner
Defenders: Max Arfsten, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty, Joe Scally
Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman
Forwards: Brenden Aaronson, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas
