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The United States unveiled its 2026 FIFA World Cup squad on Tuesday, but not without some controversy and debate.
Midfielders Gio Reyna and Sebastián Berhalter were named to U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino’s 26-man World Cup roster Tuesday along with winger Alejandro Zendejas, while midfielders Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann were left out.
Defender Sergiño Dest, midfielder Tyler Adams and forward Haji Wright were added after missing March friendlies due to injuries. Zendejas was excluded from the March roster after a knee injury last fall.
The players were announced in order of uniform number on the roof of South Street Seaport’s Pier 17, with the Brooklyn Bridge as a backdrop.
It is “disrespectful” to mention omissions in the squad
When asked about some notable omissions from the team, Pochettino dismissed the line of questioning, stating that focusing on omissions undermines the players who earned their places.
“I think we can’t talk about the players who are not in the squad, because I think it is a lack of respect towards the player who came into the squad,” Pochettino said. “Because… we are going to talk about the players who are not on the squad… and that to me is very disrespectful.”
The manager took full responsibility for the final cuts, noting that adding one fan favorite would only spark a debate about another.
“That was my decision to choose that 26 and now we must respect it,” Pochettino said. “If I include one, they’re going to ask me for another one… we really believe that this squad, these 26 players, are the right players.”
Pochettino emphasized that the selection process was the culmination of an exhaustive 18-month scouting period aimed at building a team that can compete with the best in the world.
“We were working very hard, spending a year and a half or more to try to reach this moment in the best conditions with all the information to try to make the best decision,” he said. “It’s impossible to be fair to everyone, but they seem to make the best decision to be competitive and try to win.”
Who made the cut?
(Photo by Vincent Carchietta/USSF/Getty Images)
Among the most notable inclusions is Reyna, son of former US captain Claudio Reyna. Reyna was almost kicked out of the 2022 World Cup by then-coach Gregg Berhalter for lack of effort and has made just four starts this season for Borussia Mönchengladbach, none since December 19.
Despite limited playing time, Pochettino considers Reyna a “special player.”
Sebastian Berhalter, the 25-year-old son of the former coach, also made the cut. He debuted with the national team last June and became the best corner taker for the Americans.
Players who had been in the March squad included goalkeeper Patrick Schulte along with Tessmann and fellow midfielder Aidan Morris.
Luna missed the March matches due to a knee injury after playing in 17 of 18 internationals last year, but ultimately failed to regain his place.
The U.S. team has also been plagued by health issues, with two players sidelined by recent injuries: midfielder Johnny Cardoso had surgery on his right ankle and forward Patrick Agyemang is dealing with a torn right Achilles tendon. Defenseman Cameron Carter-Vickers is also out as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles tendon he suffered in October.
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).
