USMNT Coach Pochettino Invites 27 Players for March Camp, Atlanta Matches
U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) head coach Mauricio Pochettino has called up 27 players for a training camp in March. This camp comes ahead of two crucial friendly matches against World Cup-bound teams, Belgium and Portugal. The training will commence in Atlanta on March 22.
Pochettino’s Vision for the USMNT
Coach Pochettino emphasized the importance of these matches for World Cup preparation. “These games are vital and must be treated as World Cup experiences,” he stated. The upcoming matches are pivotal as they are the last before announcing the final roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Upcoming Matches Schedule
- Match against Belgium: March 28 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA. Kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET.
- Match against Portugal: March 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA. Kickoff at 7 p.m. ET.
Both fixtures will be broadcast live across various platforms, including TNT, HBO Max, Telemundo, and Peacock.
Players to Watch
The USMNT squad boasts talent across various positions:
Goalkeepers
- Chris Brady (Chicago Fire; 0 caps)
- Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati; 0 caps)
- Matt Freese (New York City FC; 13 caps)
- Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 52 caps)
Defenders
- Tim Ream (79 caps)
- Antonee Robinson (50 caps)
- Chris Richards (35 caps)
- Others include Max Arfsten, Alex Freeman, and more.
Midfielders
- Weston McKennie (62 caps)
- Gio Reyna (34 caps)
- Others include Johnny Cardoso, Aidan Morris, and Malik Tillman.
Forwards
- Christian Pulisic (82 caps)
- Ricardo Pepi (34 caps)
- Others include Brenden Aaronson and Folarin Balogun.
This roster marks the return of Antonee Robinson, who missed all of 2025 due to injury. Now back, he aims to contribute his experience as the USMNT gears up for the World Cup.
Performance Insights
The USMNT’s recent record under Pochettino includes an impressive 8 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws in their last 12 matches, with notable performances leading up to the World Cup.
Many players have been in outstanding form within their European clubs, significantly contributing to their teams. Ricardo Pepi, for example, has netted 13 goals for PSV Eindhoven, while Folarin Balogun has also found the net regularly at Monaco.
World Cup Context
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be especially significant as the U.S. hosts the tournament for the first time since 1994. Matches will take place in various cities, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York. The USMNT opens the group stage on June 12 against Paraguay.
With an average squad age of 26 years and significant experience across the roster, the USMNT is focused on capturing success both in March and during the World Cup this summer.
