The United States World Cup 2026 squad is starting shape up under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, with just a few months remaining before the biggest tournament in sports.
Since losing to Mexico in the Gold Cup Final, the USMNT have lost to South Korea, drawn to Ecuador and beaten Japan and Australia: World Cup 2026 marks their second time hosting the tournament though, and they'll be hoping to build momentum before the competition begins.
The United States will be looking to improve on their previous World Cup finish, where they exited in the Round of 16 – they'll be led by the experienced Mauricio Pochettino, who has the unenviable task of galvanizing the nation.
Time is running out as the USMNT look to get up to speed ahead of next summer's competition, but it judging by the uniformity of his past few national team squads, it's evident that Pochettino is quickly finding his best national team squad.
However, it is also worth noting that there were a few high-profile absences from the October squad like starting fullbacks Antonee Robinson and Sergino Dest and midfield anchor Tyler Adams, whose wife gave birth.
They were also deprived of two key figures in midfield with new Atletico Madrid signing Johnny Cardoso working his way back from an ankle injury that has kept him out for a month, whilst new Gladbach arrival Giovanni Reyna missed out with a thigh problem.
So can the US shock a few doubters next summer?
Squad
United States World Cup 2026 squad: The October selection
- GK: Matt Freese (New York City FC)
- GK: Jonathan Klinsmann (Cesena)
- GK: Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati)
- GK: Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew)
- DF: Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven)
- DF: John Tolkin (Holstein Kiel)
- DF: Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach)
- DF: Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati)
- DF: Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)
- DF: Auston Trusty (Celtic)
- DF: Alex Freeman (Orlando City)
- DF: Maximilian Arfsten (Columbus Crew)
- DF: Mark McKenzie (Toulouse)
- MF: Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
- MF: Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach)
- MF: Tanner Tessmann (Lyon)
- MF: Timothy Tillman (Los Angeles FC)
- MF: Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps)
- MF: Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough)
- FW: Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven)
- FW: Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake)
- FW: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United)
- FW: Haji Wright (Coventry City)
- FW: Folarin Balogun (Monaco)
Fixtures and results
November 18: United States vs Uruguay, Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida, United States
October 15: United States 2-1 Australia, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Colorado, United States
October 11: United States 2-1 Ecuador, Q2 Stadium, Texas, United States
September 10: United States 2-0 Japan, Lower.com Field, Ohio, United States
September 4: United States 0-2 South Korea, Sports Illustrated Stadium, New Jersey, United States
July 7: United States 1-2 Mexico, NRG Stadium, Texas, United States
July 3: United States 2-1 Guatemala, Energizer Park, Missouri, United States
June 30: United States 2-2 Costa Rica (4-3 pens), U.S. Bank Stadium, Minnesota,United States
June 23: United States 2-1 Haiti, AT&T Stadium, Texas, United States
June 20: Saudi Arabia 0-1 United States, Q2 Stadium, Texas, United States
June 15: United States 5-0 Trinidad and Tobago, PayPal Park, California, United States
June 11: United States 0-4 Switzerland, GEODIS Park, Tennessee, United States
June 7: United States 1-2 Turkey, Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, Connecticut, United States
March 23: Canada 2-1 United States, SoFi Stadium, California, United States
March 20: United States 0-1 Panama, SoFi Stadium, California, United States
January 23: United States 3-0 Costa Rica, Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, United States
January 18: United States 3-1 Venezuela, Chase Stadium, Florida, United States
Manager
Who is the United States' manager?
One year after taking charge of the US Men's National Team, Mauricio Pochettino has already seen his fair share of highs and lows in his maiden international job. The USA have struggled against higher-ranked opponents, losing in friendlies against Mexico, South Korea, Turkey and Switzerland, whilst they also lost in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals and third-place match vs. Panama and Canada.
But despite missing various key players like Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie, the USMNT made it all the way to the Gold Cup Final, where they relinquished an early lead and lost 2-1 to Mexico.
After winning two of their last three vs. Australia and Japan and holding Ecuador to a 1-1 draw, Pochettino will be hoping his side continues to pick up the pace and click on all cylinders ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Star player
Who is the United States' star player?
He may not get the same headlines as Christian Pulisic, but Tyler Adams has demonstrated time and time again that he is the USMNT's most indispensable player, and he'll be looking to guide them to glory in the upcoming World Cup.
Born and raised in New York, Adams ascended New York Red Bulls' academy before making the move to Europe in 2019 with RB Leipzig. He established himself as one of the Bundesliga's best defensive midfielders alongside the likes of Joshua Kimmich and Diadie Samassekou before making the move to Leeds, spending just one year there before moving to Bournemouth in 2023.
Adams' tenacious tackling and never-say-die mentality, combined with his precise passing and impressive shielding of the ball has converted him into one of the first names on the team sheet for club and country. And after wearing the captain's armband in the previous FIFA World Cup, all signs point to Adams having a massive role to play on home soil in 2026.
Best XI
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