USMNT roster projection for 2026 FIFA World Cup: Who's in, who's out, predicted lineup for USA opening game

As co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United States are set to embark on one of the most important months in men's national team history.

Led by Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT is gearing up to push for a legendary performance on home soil, aiming to use this tournament as a springboard for exponential growth in soccer popularity across the country.

A big part in determining their success in such an endeavor will be the performances on the pitch, as the USMNT aims to reach the quarterfinals of a World Cup for the second time in history and first since 2002.

The Sporting News brings you a look at the U.S. depth chart with mere months until the start of the World Cup on June 11, with the USMNT set to get their tournament under way in Group D play the following day.

MORE: A complete guide to how the FIFA World Cup draw works

USMNT roster projection for 2026 FIFA World Cup

It is unclear whether Pochettino will be able to call in 26 players to the FIFA World Cup, or if rosters will be restricted to 23 individuals.

In recent decades, the FIFA World Cup traditionally has featured 23-player squads. However, FIFA increased the size to 26 players for the 2022 World Cup "because of its unique timing [being moved to December] and the disruptive effects caused by COVID-19."

While there has been no announcement or indication whether FIFA will revert back to the status quo or keep the expanded size, the general assumption seems to be that the 26-player squad will be adopted permanently, given the increase in player load across professional football in recent years. Thus, we are progressing under this assumption unless reports to the contrary begin to filter through.

Projected USMNT roster for 2026 World Cup

*Caps correct as of October 7, 2025

**Potential cuts if World Cup rosters are restricted to just 23 players instead of 26

Goalkeepers

• Locks: Matt Freese, Matt Turner
• In the mix: Chris Brady, Jonathan Klinsmann, Patrick Schulte, Zack Steffen
• On the outside: Drake Callender, Roman Celentano, Ethan Horvath, Diego Kochen

Matt Turner has been the incumbent goalkeeper since breaking into the squad at the 2021 Gold Cup, and was the starter at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. However, after moving back from Europe to MLS in an effort to find more game time, his spot has been challenged by Matt Freese who himself has been a favorite of Pochettino since his selection at the 2025 Gold Cup.

The two are neck-and-neck in terms of who will earn the starting spot long-term, but both seem to be locks for the roster itself. There will be a battle for the third-string goalkeeper, and that contest appears to be wide open at the moment.

MORE: Does Donald Trump have the power to move World Cup games away from host cities?

Center-backs

• Locks: Chris Richards, Tim Ream
• In the mix: Noahkai Banks, George Campbell, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, Walker Zimmerman
• On the outside: Tristan Blackmon, Nathan Harriel, Jalen Neal, Erik Palmer-Brown, Jackson Ragen, Auston Trusty

The center-back position is wide-open with the U.S. national team at the moment, with just Chris Richards the only guaranteed starter. At 38 years old, Tim Ream remains a steady and consistent option, even as he has lost a step and becomes a bit more mistake-prone with age.

Beyond them, it's impossible to know who will make the roster, especially as the position opens up a bit with Pochettino seeming to consider a three-at-the-back tactical approach. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Mark McKenzie are leading candidates due to their presence in major European competition, but neither has excelled at the national-team level, which opens the door.

Look out for young Noahkai Banks who was called in to his first international camp in September. The 18-year-old scored his first professional goal in early October, and if he begins to earn more playing time at his German club Augsburg, he could crop up as a late contender.

Full-backs

• Locks: Sergino Dest, Antonee Robinson
• In the mix: Max Arfsten, Alex Freeman, Joe Scally
• On the outside: Marlon Fossey, DeJuan Jones, Kristoffer Lund, John Tolkin, Caleb Wiley

Well established as one of the best left-backs in Europe, Antonee Robinson is one of the first names on the USMNT team-sheet when fully fit. On the right, Sergino Dest has battled injuries over the past year and may not be the lock to start he once was considered, but he is still a no-brainer for at least a roster spot.

It certainly feels as though Max Arfsten and Alex Freeman have put themselves into a pole position for a World Cup roster spot after endearing themselves to Pochettino through 2025, but given they are such new options to the USMNT set-up, it's hard to consider them locks just yet.

Behind those four leading candidates are a mish-mash of players who are very likely too low on the depth chart to contend for a spot, unless the versatile Joe Scally can revive his international career with a turnaround at his club Borussia Monchengladbach.

Midfielders

• Locks: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman
• In the mix: Brenden Aaronson, Sebastian Berhalter, Johnny Cardoso, Luca de la Torre, Diego Luna, Jack McGlynn, Aidan Morris, Yunus Musah, Cristian Roldan, James Sands, Tanner Tessmann
• On the outside: Benjamin Cremaschi, Gio Reyna

Leader Tyler Adams has not only developed into one of the most imposing figures in the USMNT locker room, but also into a force at his Premier League club. Adams has anchored the Bournemouth midfield, and having seemingly shaken his persistent fitness concerns, the U.S. star has become integral at a club playing in the biggest league in the world.

Weston McKennie continues to prove doubters wrong at Juventus, making him a key presence in the USMNT squad as well. Yunus Musah was considered a fixture of the squad not long ago, but his struggle for club minutes and a continued failure to establish a natural position have suddenly put his presence at the World Cup in jeopardy.

Behind those two, the depth chart is crowded for a spot in the U.S. midfield, especially if one starting spot is gobbled up by an extra defender in a possible 3-4-3 formation. Jack McGlynn and Diego Luna seem to have grabbed the eye of Pochettino, while Cristian Roldan, Tanner Tessmann, and Sebastian Berhalter have also impressed the coaching staff at times. Johnny Cardoso is hoping a summer move to Atletico Madrid gives him clout if he can win minutes, while Brenden Aaronson's pressing know-how could give him a leg up.

It feels too late for Gio Reyna, who continues to struggle not only for club form but also fitness, to make an impact on this World Cup roster, and Pochettino may have to turn elsewhere. Persistent muscle injuries continue to impact his availability, once again complicating his move to Borussia Monchengladbach.

Forwards

• Locks: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah
• In the mix: Patrick Agyemang, Haji Wright, Alejandro Zendejas
• On the outside: Cade Cowell, Damion Downs, Jesus Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Josh Sargent, Brandon Vazquez, Brian White

While Ricardo Pepi continues to recover from multiple injuries, Folarin Balogun has performed in his stead at the No. 9 position. Yet given Pepi's repeated goal-scoring prowess when actually on the pitch for PSV, he is still largely considered the best option up front. Both are locks, however, to make the roster.

Christian Pulisic has blossomed into one of the best attackers in Serie A and indeed Europe, and is the first name on the USMNT teamsheet every game in which he is available.

Haji Wright and Alejandro Zendejas have coupled strong performances for their club and country to put themselves in good position to appear, while Patrick Agyemang is also in the mix after moving to Derby County in the summer. The chance has come and gone for Josh Sargent, who despite strong form for Norwich City over the last two years has failed to make an impact at the national-team level.

Predicted USMNT lineup for opening game of 2026 World Cup

While it's still early, Pochettino has trialed a three-at-the-back system in recent games to good effect, and thus it's likely that he could stick with this approach for the foreseeable future.

The toughest positions to call are at goalkeeper, where Turner and Freese continue to battle for the No. 1 spot, and at center-back where Richards remains the only bang-on starter.

At right-back, Freeman has seen his stock rise while Dest remains absent due to injury, and he could force his way into the XI if it continues. However, Weah could be used in this position as well in order to fit both he and Tillman into the lineup alongside captain Pulisic.

Adams is a guaranteed anchor in midfield when healthy, and McKennie is likely to partner him.

USA predicted starting XI (3-4-2-1, right to left): Turner (GK) — Ream, Richards, Carter-Vickers — Weah, Adams, McKennie, Robinson — Pulisic, Tillman — Pepi

USA predicted substitutes: Freese (GK), Brady (GK), Campbell, McKenzie, Arfsten, Dest, Freeman, Aaronson, McGlynn, Morris, Tessmann, Luna, Zendejas, Wright, Balogun