Why These Five Players Will Be Essential to America’s World Cup Hopes

If the United States men’s national team wants to make a long run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a lot of things will have to go right. That starts with the team’s key players, many of whom will be playing in their second World Cup.

Of course, the 26 players who take the field for any team in the World Cup are important, but on this American team, there are some players who are essential for head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

There are simply no replacements for any of these players. If any of them can’t go, Pochettino will completely change the way the team plays or they will struggle with replacements who have limited ability to fill the roles. Let’s identify five that will be essential.

Age: 27
Club: AFC Bournemouth (English Premier League)

Throughout the cycle leading up to the 2022 World Cup, many questions surrounding the US team involved midfielder Tyler Adams. Who was his substitute and how could the team play without him? Four years later, the same questions persist. Many expected Johnny Cardoso to be that choice, but he is injured and never fits comfortably into the role, even when healthy. Pochettino controversially decided not to bring in Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris, who were potential options.

Adams has battled injuries over the years and the team has never looked comfortable when he’s not on the field. His absence was particularly noticeable in March, when the American team struggled to contain Belgium and Portugal.

(Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Although Adams is no longer the captain of the team, as he was in the 2022 World Cup, he is the most indispensable player. There is no clear support for him on this roster, or even in the entire group of players. When Adams is playing at his best, he helps cover up many of the team’s weaknesses. Can cover ground in transition defense. It can help protect the bottom line.

If the American team wants to advance and advance in the round of 16, Adams is essential. You should stay healthy and avoid cards. If he’s not on the field, the team is in trouble.

Age: 26
Club: Crystal Palace (English Premier League)

After Adams, Chris Richards is the next most important player on the US team. Central defense is a weakness of the American team and it is a problem that has been building up for years. In the last six years, youth teams have not produced many top-level players in this position. The US team had to use two over-age central defenders in the 2024 Olympics because there were few quality under-23 players. It’s also one of the reasons why Tim Ream, at 38, is still a starter.

But Richards has been a rare bright spot among the group of players in the middle of the backline. His career at Crystal Palace has been very successful in recent years. He won the FA Cup in 2025. In May, he saw Crystal Palace lift the Conference League title. Although he did not play in the final due to injury, he was important throughout the campaign.

(Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Richards missed the 2022 World Cup due to a hamstring injury and various injuries have forced him to miss long periods over the years. He is currently trying to recover from an ankle injury in time for the opener, although he said Wednesday that he is ready. It is the same injury that forced him to leave the Conference League final.

The gap between Richards and the team’s next best center back is wide. It’s a position where ambitious teams cannot afford to be weak. For Pochettino, Richards must be in full physical shape or close to it throughout the tournament.

Age: 27
Club: AC Milan (Italian Serie A)

The Hershey, Pennsylvania native is the most successful American player of all time at the club level and has scored many important goals over the years for the national team. He is the most feared attacking player on the American team and is the offensive key to reaching the knockout rounds. When Pulisic plays well, he elevates the rest of his teammates around him. Opposing teams must focus more on defending him, which opens up spaces for others.

A big problem surrounding the national team throughout 2026 was Pulisic’s scoring drought. It wasn’t until the 3-2 friendly win over Senegal on May 31 that Pulisic finally found the back of the net this calendar year, whether for club or country. The hope among the team is that, once its bad streak is over, the goals and assists will come in droves.

Pulisic’s odds of winning the Ballon d’Or: +8000

Age: 28
Club: Fulham (English Premier League)

Whenever healthy, Robinson was among the best left-backs in the Premier League with Fulham. In recent years there has been much concern about whether Robinson would be ready for this tournament as an injury to his right knee limited him at the end of the 2024-25 season and subsequent surgery failed to have him back on the field for the start of the 2025-26 campaign. It wasn’t until December when he returned for the Cottagers. When he played for the US team in March, it was his first international appearance since 2024. We miss him deeply.

Robinson is an elite full-back in modern football. He is quick, can cover a lot of ground in 90 minutes, is effective on both sides of the ball and reads the game so well that he is rarely out of position.

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Robinson is irreplaceable for Pochettino. When not on the field, the United States must play in a different tactical manner, with multiple players filling roles that Robinson can normally fill alone. Fortunately for the American team, Robinson appears ready to go to the World Cup and his goal against Germany on Saturday was one of the best goals the team has scored in years.

Age: 27
Club: Juventus (Italian Serie A)

Weston McKennie is by far the most versatile player in the entire group of American players, where he can play in the midfield, whether in the full-back or full-back position. Throughout the 2025-26 season with Juventus, McKennie played many different roles and was one of the best players on the team. It was the last year of his contract and for some stretches it looked like Juventus were simply going to let him go. In the end, the board decided that he was simply too good and unique to let go. In March, McKennie signed a lucrative new contract to remain in Turin.

(Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Pochettino appears to be reaching a similar conclusion with McKennie. It’s very difficult to find anyone else in the pool of American players who has such a wide variety of skills. At his best, he can score, create, win duels, defend and thrive in games that become intense and physical.

The concern is that McKennie hasn’t always been at his best. The Texas native is usually a role model for the team. When he plays well, the American team plays well. When it doesn’t, like in the 2024 Copa América or the 2025 Nations League final, the team doesn’t do it.

Pochettino has reasons to be optimistic about McKennie in this World Cup. He is coming off a good season with Juventus and McKennie usually raises his level on the most important stages, such as the 2022 World Cup.

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. All 104 matches of the tournament will be broadcast live on FOX and FS1 and each match will be streamed live and on-demand within the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. The USMNT’s opening match against Paraguay will be streamed free on Tubi.