Pochettino Reveals Key Players for USMNT World Cup Roster
Mauricio Pochettino has been actively reorganizing the U.S. men’s national soccer team (USMNT) throughout 2025. His focus has been on reshaping player mindsets and building a robust roster ahead of the World Cup. To achieve this, Pochettino engaged more than 60 players in six training camps and utilized 56 players in matches.
Pochettino’s Strategy for the USMNT
The first camp of 2026 marks a pivotal moment as Pochettino gathers his newly defined core group for training in Atlanta. This roster is a clear signal of his vision for the team’s future, especially with the World Cup approaching. The players selected include established talents as well as emerging talents that have shown promise over the past year.
- Two notable newcomers are Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten.
- Yunus Musah and Josh Sargent, who were key players in the 2022 World Cup, are notably absent.
- Johnny Cardoso and Gio Reyna’s roles remain uncertain as Pochettino continues to evaluate the squad.
Updates on Injured Players
Several significant players will miss the upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal due to injuries. Notable absences include:
- Tyler Adams
- Sergiño Dest
- Haji Wright
- Diego Luna
Pochettino emphasized that the roster is not yet finalized and remains open for adjustments. However, a solid core of approximately 20 players appears to be emerging as frontrunners for the World Cup roster.
Pochettino’s Core Group
The following players represent Pochettino’s foundational group, many of whom were integral to the previous coaching regime under Gregg Berhalter:
- Christian Pulisic
- Weston McKennie
- Folarin Balogun
- Tim Weah
- Antonee Robinson
- Chris Richards
- Tim Ream
- Tyler Adams (if fit)
These players contributed significantly during the 2024 Copa América, showcasing their potential for the World Cup.
Emerging Talents and Experiments
Pochettino has also integrated a second group of players into the team, who have gained his trust over the last 18 months. This group includes:
- Matt Freese
- Malik Tillman
- Alex Freeman
- Max Arfsten
- Tanner Tessmann
- Cristian Roldan
Additional players like Brenden Aaronson and Ricardo Pepi could offer depth and options as well.
Looking Ahead
Pochettino’s next goal is to finalize a roster of 26 players that can replicate the performance achieved in the last two camps. The recent selections indicate a shift towards stability, moving beyond the experimental phase.
As the USMNT prepares for important friendlies this March, Pochettino is clear about his intentions. These matches against Belgium and Portugal will serve as critical tests, and he expects his team to approach them with the seriousness of World Cup competition.
The outcome of these games will significantly impact the final roster, shaping the team that will represent the U.S. on the world stage.
