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“Why not us?”
That’s the question U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino is asking about the United States’ chances of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And with 26 players selected for this summer’s tournament, we can take it a step further and see who can start in the June 12 opener against Paraguay.
FOX Sports soccer analysts Alexi Lalas and Stu Holden, along with reporters Doug McIntyre and Laken Litman, give their projections for the starting lineup.
Go with a back five setup
In goal, Lalas has Matt Freese over 2022 starter Matt Turner, a choice he acknowledges might not be the most popular, but would make anyway.
While some modern coaches prefer to label the shape as a “back three,” Lalas explained on Tuesday’s episode of “Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union” after the roster revealed that the United States should adopt the defensive stability of a true back five.
“A lot of times people say, ‘Oh, we’re going to play three defensemen.’ When in reality, they’re actually playing five defensemen. They just don’t want to say it because it sounds defeatist,” Lalas said. “But this is a defense of five.”
In theory, this structure would allow Antonee “Jedi” Robinson and Sergiño Dest to advance as full-backs while anchoring the central defense with the trio of Tim Ream, Chris Richards and Alex Freeman.
In front of them, Lalas deploys the proven and brave pairing of midfielders Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie.
By blocking the midfield, that would free up Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun to lead the attack alongside Tim Weah, who Lalas insists should remain in his traditional right-wing position rather than being asked to drop back and defend.
Gio Reyna’s ‘wrinkle’
Holden agreed with the defensive staff, but threw a curveball to midfield.
Instead of playing it safe with a standard double pivot, Stu introduced a fascinating “wrinkle” by placing Gio Reyna in a deeper, tempo-setting role.
“Here’s my little wrinkle… I’ve got Gio Reyna, playing a little deeper,” Holden said. “He’s a guy I want to pass the ball forward from that position. I don’t think Tyler Adams is. Probably, if I’m honest, it’s more likely that McKinnie will be further back and Reyna will be further forward.”
Backed by the safety net of three centre-backs, Holden suggests Adams could operate as a lone pivot, pushing McKennie and Reyna higher when in possession.
Holden says the fluid 3-3-3-1 configuration gives the United States unique tactical flexibility to break down low blocks.
Our FOX Sports football writers Doug McIntyre and Laken Litman also contributed their initial projections. Let’s see their opinions:
Adams, McKennie The Man in the Middle
There were some surprises in Mauricio Pochettino’s final 26-man World Cup list, including midfielders Tanner Tessman and Diego Luna who did not make the squad.
Both are dealing with injuries and it is unknown if that influenced their omissions. Tessman was fancied as a potential starter, but since he is not in the team, perhaps Pochettino will use just a holding midfielder in Adams and McKennie will be free to roam, as he has done quite successfully for the Juventus club and for the American team.
He can also come back and defend, but it seems Pochettino will opt to play with three centre-backs with Robinson or Dest as advancing full-backs. Balogun is the starting striker and this opening match against Paraguay is a great opportunity to show why he is number one with Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright eager to get there. – Laken Litman
Dest is more? Sergiño in attack
Pochettino’s selection is thin in the middle but deep on the flanks, an indication that the former Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea coach will play with three central defenders and two full-backs, squeezing another player, probably in the heart of the pitch.
This could put additional responsibility on defensive midfielder Tyler Adams, who won’t have another ball winner by his side. Pochettino is not worried, however, pointing out that several players can be deployed in the center in addition to safety Adams, including reserves Sebastian Berhalter and Cristian Roldan.
Weah is paired with Jedi at full-back, which would allow Dest to play more in a winger position up top, the place Pochettino has used him previously. Dest has always had a tendency to go forward and could provide support in the attack that already has playmakers Pulisic and McKennie. –Doug McIntyre
FIFA World Cup 2026: How to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 matches of the tournament will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34) and each match will be streamed live and on-demand on both FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 matches, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be streamed for free on Tubi, as will the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
