USMNT World Cup 2026 roster selections are official, with Mauricio Pochettino naming a 26-player squad that mixes 2022 returners, first-time World Cup players and a strong Black presence ahead of a home tournament.
NEW YORK — Now we know.
The USMNT World Cup 2026 roster is finally official. The U.S. men’s national team revealed its 26-player squad during a fan celebration at The Rooftop at Pier 17, with Fox Sports airing the event live as supporters gathered in New York to see who will represent the United States on soccer’s biggest stage.
After weeks of rumors, speculation and reported leaks, fans received confirmation of the players selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. National teams competing in the tournament must submit their final 26-player rosters by June 1. FIFA is expected to officially confirm and publish the lists on June 2.
The roster blends World Cup experience with new talent. Thirteen players return from the 2022 World Cup team that reached the Round of 16 in Qatar. The rest are preparing for their first appearance in the tournament.
This year’s squad also highlights the growing presence of Black players on the USMNT roster, with 13 Black players selected for the 2026 team.
USMNT World Cup 2026 Roster Announced at Pier 17
Twenty-five of the 26 players attended the roster reveal event. Defender Chris Richards was absent while training with Crystal Palace ahead of the UEFA Conference League final.
Richards reportedly suffered two torn ankle ligaments, putting his World Cup status into question. However, he is expected to be available when the tournament begins June 11.
The roster announcement was designed as more than a press event. It was a fan-focused celebration for a World Cup that will be staged on U.S. soil for the first time since 1994.
At Pier 17, supporters moved through photo booths, soccer stations and free activations. The rooftop stage featured a live DJ and a hype woman who kept the crowd energized throughout the event.
During the reveal, players were introduced one by one, walking through smoke plumes before showing off their jerseys and standing together on stage. After the roster was announced, Atlanta rapper Gunna performed one of his hit songs.
The event appealed to fans who stood through the heat on a crowded rooftop while waiting to greet players and watch the heavily produced Fox Sports broadcast.
Mauricio Pochettino Explains Final USMNT Roster Decisions
After the celebration, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino spoke with reporters about the selection process for the 2026 team.
He said the staff continued evaluating the roster until the final moments.
“I think it was the day before–the day before I announced the roster–because we had all the information over the last few weeks and were working on different things,” Pochettino said. “Then the last day… at the very last moment, we decided.”
“We had an idea. It’s not that we changed 20 players, but I think we were watching, analyzing and assessing every situation, and we decided on the 26 players on the roster.”
Notable players such as midfielders Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann were left off the final roster. When asked about players who did not make the squad, Pochettino declined to comment.
“I think we cannot talk about the players who are not on the roster because I think it’s very disrespectful to the players who made the roster,” he said. “If we are going to talk about the players who are not on the roster, then we also have to ask which players should not be on the roster.”
Returning Players Bring Experience to 2026 Squad
The 2026 roster includes several familiar faces from the last World Cup cycle. That experience could be important as the United States prepares to play in front of home crowds across the country.
Midfielder Tyler Adams, one of the returning players from the 2022 squad, reflected on the significance of having the roster announced in New York. Adams spent much of his childhood playing soccer in the area.
“I spent a lot of time in the city growing up, just playing in the best tournaments I could find,” he said. “It feels like everything has kind of come full circle. Having a roster announcement in your home state, where you have friends and family coming to an event like this, is really, really special.”
For players like Adams, the announcement was both a professional milestone and a personal moment. For fans, it marked the beginning of the final buildup to a World Cup hosted in the United States.
Black Players on the USMNT Roster Reflect Soccer’s Growing Reach
The 2026 USMNT roster also shows the growing influence of Black athletes in American soccer. Thirteen Black players made the squad, one more than the 2022 World Cup team.
According to For Soccer, a 2025 study found that 18 million Black Americans have at least some interest in soccer. More than half of Black soccer fans are between 18 and 34 years old, with especially strong interest among Gen Z audiences.
For many supporters, representation on the national team matters.
“It’s definitely a reason to be proud–to back those guys,” said Kevin Young, a lifelong soccer fan who attended the event. “I think there should be more initiatives in the country to bring soccer and let kids know that soccer exists and the opportunities it can provide.”
With the World Cup taking place in 11 major American cities and a younger, predominantly Black core helping lead the national team, some fans believe the tournament could become a turning point for soccer’s popularity within Black communities.
“One thing I really like about the Black players on the team, outside of representation, is that they’re playing abroad,” said Qiana Martin, founder of Eat Soccer and a senior soccer coach in New York City.
“Soccer is a global sport, and it is really important for as many players of color–particularly Black players of color–to get into the sport because it is literally a global passport to communicate with the rest of the world.”
What Comes Next for the USMNT
The USMNT will travel to its training location in Fayetteville, Georgia, for the next few days as preparations continue.
The team is scheduled to play its second-to-last international friendly against Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The United States will then open its World Cup campaign against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium.
For Pochettino and his players, the roster announcement ends one phase of preparation. Now, the focus shifts to fitness, chemistry and performance.
Black Players on the 2026 USMNT World Cup Roster
Here is a closer look at the Black players named to the 2026 USMNT roster.
No. 2 — Sergiño Dest
Born in the Netherlands to a Surinamese-American father, Sergiño Dest came through the famous AFC Ajax academy before later joining FC Barcelona. He remains one of the most technically gifted players in U.S. Soccer history.
Dest plays with flair and confidence. Although listed as a defender, he often attacks like a winger. After battling injuries, he recently returned to full fitness while playing major minutes for PSV Eindhoven.
No. 3 — Chris Richards
Chris Richards was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and developed through the FC Dallas academy before moving to FC Bayern Munich.
He has built a reputation as a calm, modern defender known for strong passing, recovery speed and his ability to organize the back line. Richards became one of Pochettino’s most trusted defenders during qualifying.
No. 4 — Tyler Adams
Tyler Adams remains one of the most respected voices in the USMNT locker room. He developed through the New York Red Bulls system and previously captained the national team.
As a defensive midfielder, Adams specializes in winning the ball back and protecting the defense. Injuries have slowed him over the past two years, but he remains one of the most important pieces of the U.S. midfield.
No. 5 — Antonee Robinson
Antonee Robinson, nicknamed “Jedi,” is one of the fastest players in the U.S. player pool.
The Fulham defender is known for nonstop energy, overlapping runs and his ability to push the American attack forward from the left side. Robinson recently returned to full fitness after injury concerns and is widely viewed as one of the best American fullbacks playing in Europe.
No. 8 — Weston McKennie
Weston McKennie has become one of the emotional leaders of the national team.
Raised between Texas and Germany, McKennie is known for his physicality, high energy and ability to impact games on both ends of the field. The Juventus midfielder is coming off one of the strongest club seasons of his career and has discussed the pressure surrounding expectations for the 2026 tournament.
No. 12 — Miles Robinson
Miles Robinson’s return to the World Cup roster marks a full-circle moment after he missed the 2022 tournament because of a devastating Achilles injury.
The former Syracuse University standout is known for his speed, recovery ability and physical defending.
No. 15 — Auston Trusty
Auston Trusty, a Philadelphia native, worked his way from Major League Soccer into Europe.
He gives the U.S. defense another physical option and adds depth to the back line. Trusty’s aggressive style and aerial ability make him an important rotational piece for the squad.
No. 16 — Alex Freeman
Alex Freeman, the son of former NFL receiver Antonio Freeman, represents one of the younger rising talents on the roster.
The versatile defender is viewed as an athletic, attack-minded option for the future.
No. 17 — Malik Tillman
Malik Tillman developed through FC Bayern Munich and is viewed as one of the smoothest and most naturally talented attackers in the American player pool.
Known for his creativity and composure on the ball, Tillman gives the United States another attacking playmaker who can create chances between defensive lines.
No. 19 — Haji Wright
Haji Wright, a Los Angeles native, has played professionally across Germany, the Netherlands, Turkey and England.
Wright gives the United States size, strength and another dangerous attacking option. He is also capable of scoring in transition moments.
No. 20 — Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun was born in New York to Nigerian parents and raised in England.
He committed internationally to the United States over both England and Nigeria. Balogun gives the USMNT a true goal-scoring striker who can stretch defenses with his pace and movement.
No. 21 — Tim Weah
Tim Weah, the son of George Weah, developed through Paris Saint-Germain and has become one of the team’s most versatile players.
Known for explosive speed and dangerous counterattacks, Weah can play winger, striker, wingback or wide midfielder depending on the matchup.
No. 22 — Mark McKenzie
Mark McKenzie developed through the Philadelphia Union academy before building a professional career across Europe.
Beyond soccer, McKenzie has also become one of the team’s more vocal players on race and social justice conversations.
A Defining Moment for the USMNT
The USMNT World Cup 2026 roster gives fans the clearest picture yet of how the United States plans to compete on home soil. The group includes experienced leaders, first-time World Cup players and a strong Black presence that reflects the changing face of American soccer.
For the players, the celebration at Pier 17 was only the beginning. The real test starts when the United States opens World Cup play against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.
For fans, the announcement offered something more immediate: a roster to debate, support and believe in as the country prepares to host the world’s biggest soccer tournament.
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