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United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino will announce his full 26-player World Cup roster on May 26 and will be forced to make some tough decisions.
United States and Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldán, who was selected for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, joined First Things First to discuss his feelings ahead of Pochettino’s final decision next month.
“There’s a lot of pressure,” Roldán said on Wednesday’s edition of “First Things First.” “I feel like this time I feel like I have a lot more to lose, just because I’ve racked up a few more starts with the national team in the last six months. I’m eager, I’m excited, I’m eager, I’m ready for this to start and I hope I have the best opportunity to make that team.”
Roldán has quickly become Pochettino’s favorite, playing in eight of the United States’ last 10 games and starting three. Following the United States’ 2-1 victory over Australia in October, in which Roldán recorded two assists, Pochettino called the 30-year-old midfielder the “perfect player.”
“[It’s] It’s a lesson in humility,” Roldán said. “He’s trained Messi, Neymar, Mbappé, those are world-class players. It’s a humbling experience… Overall, I’m proud to be part of the team right now, to have the opportunity to go to the World Cup. When he says something like that, it definitely helps your case.”
The roster reveal will air live on FOX at 3 pm ET on May 26. The 2026 World Cup starts on June 11.
FIFA World Cup 2026: How to watch
The 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 New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 104 matches of the tournament will air live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34) and each match will stream live and on-demand within the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than a third of the tournament, will air in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
