USMNT World Cup squad prediction: how Mauricio Pochettino’s call-ups determine the 26

In precisely 2 weeks, Mauricio Pochettino will find which 26 players will correspond nan United States astatine this summer’s World Cup. The determination whitethorn beryllium moreover harder than you’d expect

Across 24 games arsenic US boss, Pochettino has deployed 61 different players for first-hand assessment, and his tenure truthful acold has provided scant grounds of a crystalized core.

Only six USMNT players person logged moreover a 1000 minutes nether nan Argentinian’s watch; a staggering 34 person played less than 250. Tim Ream has been nan most-trusted charge, pinch 1,557 minutes, while Cade Cowell saw nan briefest deployment successful a azygous 12-minute cameo. Fifteen players person made astatine slightest 10 appearances nether Pochettino. Perhaps astir interesting: of nan 29 players who person made nary much than 5 appearances, 4 look for illustration definite bets to beryllium progressive erstwhile nan World Cup group shape starts successful June.

Which players person go trusted mainstays of Pochettino’s USMNT, and which erstwhile judge things will beryllium sweating his decisions up of 26 May?

Players sorted by minutes played nether Pochettino. Grouped by superior roles, but includes each caps/minutes since 12 October 2024 sloppy of role

Goalkeepers

Matt Freese is nan astir apt starter for nan US based connected past minutes pinch nan group. Photograph: Erik S Lesser/EPA

1) Matt Freese – 14 caps, 1,260 minutes

2) Matt Turner – 8 caps, 720 minutes

3)= Patrick Schulte – 1 cap, 90 minutes

3)= Zack Steffen – 1 cap, 90 minutes

What’s much important for a nationalist squad goalkeeper: nine shape aliases chemistry?

Turner opened nan Pochettino era arsenic nan incumbent and first choice, but Freese’s tally during past summer’s Gold Cup kicked disconnected a 14-starts-from-15 stretch. While Turner was hardly astatine responsibility successful March’s 5-2 nonaccomplishment to Beligum (his lone caller start), giving up 5 goals ne'er leaves a reassuring impression.

And yet, it’s nan New England keeper who has fared amended successful nan first 3 months of nan MLS season. Turner is 2nd among each MLS goalkeepers pinch 5.6 goals prevented (comparing goals conceded against post-shot xG faced), per FotMob. While Freese is narrowly up of expectations, astatine 0.7 goals prevented, that ranks 15th among regular starters crossed nan 30-team league.

Still, Freese’s shootout heroics against Keylor Navas and Costa Rica past summertime made clear he tin grip pressure. As for nan rest: Schulte is maintaining a 0.8 goals prevented clip, 14th successful MLS, while Steffen has been MLS’s fourth-poorest extremity preventer astatine -3.2. Whoever is starting, Schulte is near-certain to beryllium nan emergency option.

Left-backs

Max Arfsten has earned much minutes astatine left-back aliases near wingback than anyone successful nan excavation nether Pochettino. Photograph: Jeff Dean/AP

1) Max Arfsten – 18 caps, 1,156 minutes

2) Antonee Robinson – six caps, 399 minutes

3) John Tolkin – six caps, 235 minutes

Others: DeJuan Jones (two caps, 115 minutes), Kristoffer Lund (two caps, 68 minutes); Marlon Fossey (one cap, 45 minutes)

Robinson and Sergiño Dest are still nan assumed starters astatine nan 2 full-back spots. However, injuries person kept some from regular involvement, opening nan doorway for alternatives.

One of 3 players to look successful astatine slightest two-thirds of Pochettino’s matches successful charge, Arfsten brings sizeable progressive instincts that make him a vulnerable action arsenic a near wing-back pinch 3 center-backs down him. The problems travel erstwhile he’s asked to play connected nan separator of a backmost four, arsenic his upfield scampers cede aureate opportunities for opponents to counter. He’s an fantabulous action disconnected nan bench, but it’s apt Robinson’s spot to hold. The United States’ champion moments astatine nan commencement of some March friendlies often came astatine his feet, from his progression and line-breaking distribution to his positional dependency erstwhile nan opponents took over. Fulham missed him dearly successful stretches of 2025-26, but Pochettino will beryllium thankful he’s connected way for this summer.

Right-backs

Sergiño Dest is nan presumed starter astatine correct backmost contempt his aggregate absences from US camps Photograph: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

1) Alex Freeman – 15 caps, 1,084 minutes

2) Joe Scally – nine caps, 605 minutes

3. Sergiño Dest – four caps, 211 minutes

Others: Nathan Harriel (three caps, 123 minutes), Shaq Moore (two caps, 121 minutes)

Freeman’s profession has followed a blistering trajectory since January 2025, forcing his measurement into Orlando City’s rotation, which landed him a starting domiciled astatine nan Gold Cup, continued engagement thereafter, and a move to Villarreal. It has continued, pinch Freeman earning his first 2 La Liga starts aft nan March window. Freeman didn’t suffer positioning gaffes astir arsenic often arsenic Scally had astatine nan Copa América and 2025 Concacaf Nations League, a captious revelation for Pochettino .

Freeman tin besides tuck successful and play arsenic a correct center-back successful a backmost three, allowing Pochettino screen successful (mild spoiler) his weakest area.

Dest has struggled to enactment connected nan section for overmuch of nan past 2 years, logging moreover less world minutes than Gio Reyna. It’s an undeniable consequence to presume he tin measurement successful and instantly rediscover nan verve and unpredictability that made him truthful important nether Gregg Berhalter. Then again, this squad whitethorn not person a prime but to return that risk. Dest offers uncommon dynamism up nan flank and tin screen connected nan left, assisting a Ricardo Pepi extremity complete nan play pinch his near foot. Either Dest aliases Freeman would beryllium a earthy fresh successful a back-four aliases astatine helping backmost successful a three-back system.

Center-backs

Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards is simply a linchpin on nan US backline. Photograph: Omar Vega/Getty Images

1) Tim Ream – 18 caps, 1,557 minutes

2) Chris Richards – 13 caps, 1,094 minutes

3) Mark McKenzie – 12 caps, 810 minutes

4) Miles Robinson – 9 caps, 533 minutes

5) Auston Trusty – 4 caps, 190 minutes

6) Walker Zimmerman – 4 caps, 188 minutes

Others: Tristan Blackmon (two caps, 173 minutes), Cameron Carter-Vickers (one cap, 90 minutes), George Campbell (one cap, 88 minutes)

Ream and Richards were 1 of nan fewer dependable pairings astatine nan Copa América, but Ream’s property (38), well-known deficiency of pace, and caller shape pinch Charlotte springiness immoderate origin for concern.

McKenzie and Trusty were nan starters successful an awesome 5-1 triumph complete Uruguay and some fared decently good successful March, pinch Trusty getting a notable shoutout from Pochettino aft nan Belgium defeat. The brace besides collaborated during their clip connected nan Philadelphia Union, offering immoderate chemistry contempt complete half a decade since each subordinate near nan club. Robinson was incapable to play successful March’s friendlies owed to injury, but is still a clear campaigner for nan squad aft missing 2022 pinch an achilles injury.

Then again, an world committedness from Noahkai Banks could unit 1 of these 3 to miss retired fixed nan Augsburg defender’s sizeable upside. It should beryllium noted, however, that nan 19-year-old hasn’t played since 22 March, arsenic nan German nine saw aggregate seasoned center-backs return from injury.

Defensive and cardinal midfielders

Tyler Adams is 1 of nan United States’ astir important players successful midfield. Photograph: Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images

1) Sebastian Berhalter – 11 caps, 809 minutes

2) Tyler Adams – 11 caps, 763 minutes

3) Tanner Tessmann – 12 caps, 663 minutes

4) Luca De La Torre – 8 caps, 540 minutes

5) Jack McGlynn – 12 caps, 444 minutes

6) Aidan Morris – 7 caps, 443 minutes

7) Yunus Musah – six caps, 416 minutes

8) Cristian Roldan – 8 caps, 343 minutes

9) Johnny Cardoso – six caps, 213 minutes

Others: Gianluca Busio (four caps, 169 minutes), Emeka Eneli (two caps, 115 minutes), Benja Cremaschi (two caps, 110 minutes), Timothy Tillman (two caps, 90 minutes), James Sands (one cap, 63 minutes)

Pochettino has often alternated betwixt utilizing 2 aliases 3 midfielders successful his motor room, truthful extent successful a assortment of roles is captious to guarantee flexibility. What’s definite is that Adams remains 1 of nan program’s high-end performers; a legitimately world people ball-winner who is simply a guaranteed starter whenever his assemblage allows.

Berhalter and Tessmann person been progressively involved, but nan players straight beneath them successful nan minutes ledger consciousness for illustration longer shots than others pinch moreover fewer. All but 25 of De La Torre’s minutes came during nan Gold Cup and its preceding friendlies, while McGlynn fell retired of nan lineup earlier nan group stage’s extremity and hasn’t seen nan section for nan US since September. Then again, US adjunct coach Jesús Perez whitethorn understandably beryllium swayed aft being in-house for McGlynn’s latest worldie against LAFC.

Musah hasn’t gotten a call-up since earlier nan Gold Cup, while Cardoso suffered a poorly timed ankle wounded that will scupper his chances contempt a good play pinch Champions League semi-finalist Atlético Madrid. His absence will almost surely spot Berhalter and Tessmann done to nan squad, while Roldan and Morris will use arsenic proven protect midfielders.

Attacking midfielders and wingers

Malik Tillman, Diego Luna and Jack McGlynn each made their lawsuit complete nan 2025 Gold Cup. Photograph: Erin Chang/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images

1) Malik Tillman – 14 caps, 1,046 minutes

2) Diego Luna – 17 caps, 948 minutes

3) Christian Pulisic – 11 caps, 703 minutes

4) Tim Weah – 8 caps, 585 minutes

5) Weston McKennie – 8 caps, 551 minutes

6) Brenden Aaronson – 13 caps, 506 minutes

7) Gio Reyna – 5 caps, 157 minutes

Others: Quinn Sullivan (three caps, 140 minutes), Alejandro Zendejas (six caps, 139 minutes), Caden Clark (two caps, 135 minutes), Brian Gutierrez* (two caps, 118 minutes), Matko Miljevic (two caps, 110 minutes), Indiana Vassilev (two caps, 86 minutes), Paxten Aaronson (three caps, 56 minutes), Cade Cowell (one cap, 12 minutes)

An early uncovering of Berhalter’s tenure that was further laid bare nether Pochettino: this programme is awfully bladed connected nan wings. Pochettino addressed this by squeezing narrower to play a much modern strategy pinch 2 attacking midfielders stationed successful nan half spaces. It’s been a awesome improvement for McKennie, now a channel-operating ace for Juventus, and Tillman, agelong without a clear domiciled for nan US contempt his awesome nine career.

But past location are nan 2 longtime first-choice wingers. Pulisic hasn’t scored for nan US since November 2024, nor for Milan since precocious 2025, but is nevertheless nan program’s look and has agelong proven tin of breaking done for his nationalist squad successful large moments. Weah has arguably been a steadier performer since Berhalter left, and tin deputize arsenic a right-wingback if needed.

Despite missing March campy arsenic he returned from injury, Luna remains a campaigner not conscionable for a squad spot, but meaningful involvement. His debut past January kicked disconnected an 18-match agelong wherever he appeared successful each but 1 US game, bringing a blend of tenacious activity complaint successful each phases and uncommon ingenuity connected nan shot to drawback opponents unaware.

Reyna and Brenden Aaronson could beryllium useful gamechangers from nan bench, nan erstwhile for his on-ball fearlessness and nan second for his off-ball industry. It’s besides worthy keeping nan doorway to nan squad ajar for Luna’s RSL moving mate Zavier Gozo arsenic a imaginable World Cup wildcard.

Center-forwards

Folarin Balogun has rounded into shape astatine nan correct clip pinch nan US. Photograph: Dustin Safranek/EPA

1) Patrick Agyemang – 14 caps, 866 minutes

2) Folarin Balogun – 8 caps, 410 minutes

3) Josh Sargent – 4 caps, 260 minutes

4) Haji Wright – 7 caps, 226 minutes

5) Ricardo Pepi – 5 caps, 209 minutes

6) Brian White – 7 caps, 184 minutes

Others: Damion Downs (six caps, 98 minutes), Brandon Vazquez (three caps, 58 minutes)

Aside from Agyemang’s tally astatine nan Gold Cup, Pochettino has mostly gone pinch a striker-by-committee approach. Agyemang won’t beryllium portion of nan picture, though, having suffered a ruptured achilles pinch Derby County. Of nan six most-used players, only White has grounded to make an quality aft nan Gold Cup – but he’s arguably 1 of nan 2 astir in-form options of nan bunch, and an perfect emergency gamebreaker successful tense moments.

Balogun’s quick-firing prowess makes him a threat to people from anyplace wrong 20 yards of goal. Pepi’s profession is successful a spot of limbo arsenic PSV hold for different attack from Fulham aliases different suitors, but he bagged 14 goals from 24 Eredivisie contests and is simply a useful replacement up top. Wright is 1 of 3 progressive squad members to person scored astatine a World Cup, whether he meant to aliases not, and tin drift to nan near without losing overmuch of his threat adjacent goal.

The prediction

Players listed alphabetically, pinch presumptive first-choices underlined.

Goalkeepers: Matt Freese, Patrick Schulte, Matt Turner

Full-backs: Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Antonee Robinson

Center-backs: Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty

Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Aidan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Tanner Tessmann

Attacking midfielders/wingers: Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, Tim Weah

Strikers: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright

This has been crafted to equilibrium each nan grounds pinch realism, which is to say: this assumes Banks either kicks his world determination to nan different broadside of nan World Cup aliases opts for Germany. Brenden Aaronson would beryllium nan header omission, having fared acold amended successful his 2nd Premier League go-round pinch Leeds. In position of minutes played nether Pochettino, Scally leads nan snubs pinch 605 minutes logged, though only 110 person travel since that sadistic Nations League showing successful March 2025.