Pochettino Nears 26-Man USMNT World Cup Squad as Injuries Complicate Tuesday Reveal
Updated
Updated · ESPN · May 22
Pochettino Nears 26-Man USMNT World Cup Squad as Injuries Complicate Tuesday Reveal
9 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 22
Tuesday’s roster announcement will cap Mauricio Pochettino’s 20-month build toward a 26-man U.S. World Cup squad, with several places still unsettled despite a largely defined core.
Injuries have tightened the final decisions: Johnny Cardoso is out after right-ankle surgery, Patrick Agyemang also misses out, and center back Chris Richards is still racing back from torn ankle ligaments.
Key selection battles remain at goalkeeper and in defense, where Matt Freese and Matt Turner are pushing for the No. 1 job and veterans Tim Ream and Miles Robinson have recently eased fitness concerns.
The attack looks deeper and more stable, with Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright favored up front, while Christian Pulisic’s scoreless 2026 run and Malik Tillman’s poor form leave questions over supporting roles.
Bubble calls involving Diego Luna, Joe Scally, Yunus Musah and others will shape the final balance of Pochettino’s squad before the U.S. turns to its last friendlies and World Cup preparations.
With the USMNT defense decimated by injuries, what surprise picks could Pochettino make to survive the group stage?
Amidst a historic scoring drought, can 'Captain America' Pulisic rediscover his form in time for the World Cup?