Sports Illustrated’s post-World Cup review recommends the USMNT retain 16 players from its 26-man 2026 squad, with six moved to depth roles and eight dropped after the home-soil quarterfinal exit.
Youth and club trajectory drive many of the keep calls, with 21-year-old Alex Freeman, 24-year-old Malik Tillman and 26-year-old Chris Richards highlighted as core pieces for the 2030 cycle.
Several veterans are marked for phaseout, including 38-year-old Tim Ream, 31-year-old Matt Turner and 30-year-old Cristian Roldan, as the analysis argues minutes should shift toward players who fit 2030 plans.
Christian Pulisic, 25, is still kept but framed as entering a reduced role after an injury-hit tournament, while Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi remain central striker options despite Balogun’s red-card controversy.
The review also underscores uncertainty over Mauricio Pochettino’s future, leaving the USMNT to rebuild toward regional tournaments and the 2030 World Cup under either a reshaped system or a new coach.