Pochettino will unveil his 26-man USMNT roster at Pier 17 in New York on May 26, one week from now, with several starters all but guaranteed to be included. Matt Freese, Chris Richards, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie stand out as near-locks — their form, roles and availability will define the U.S. approach at the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
USMNT roster reveal: what to expect on May 26
Mauricio Pochettino will announce his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup live at Pier 17 in New York on May 26. The timing compresses a final week of decisions on fitness, form and tactical balance as the U.S. prepares to host soccer’s biggest tournament.
This public reveal is being treated as a marquee moment — it’s the culmination of a long selection process and sets the stage for Pochettino’s strategic blueprint. Expect a mix of reliable veterans and in-form European talent, with a few spots still up for debate.
Five near-locks for Pochettino’s World Cup squad
Matt Freese — Goalkeeper (New York City FC, MLS)
Freese has seized the national-team spotlight after taking over from Matt Turner and delivering in Concacaf tournaments and friendlies. His domestic consistency and recent starts against top opposition give Pochettino a clear choice between form and experience.
Why it matters: A confident, in-form goalkeeper stabilizes any tournament side. If Freese starts, the U.S. gains shot-stopping reliability and distribution from the back — critical for Pochettino’s possession demands.
Chris Richards — Center back (Crystal Palace, Premier League)
Richards is the defensive heartbeat: calm on the ball, dominant aerially and adaptable across multiple backline shapes. He rebounded from missing the 2022 World Cup through injury to become U.S. Soccer’s male player of the year after key Gold Cup performances.
Why it matters: Richards gives Pochettino a leader who can switch between back three and four without sacrificing ball progression. His set-piece threat is an added bonus in tight World Cup games.
Folarin Balogun — Striker (Monaco, Ligue 1)
Balogun arrives hot, scoring at an elite clip for Monaco with a remarkable run since mid-February. The No. 9 battle is crowded, but Balogun’s clinical finishing and timing put him on top of the pecking order if form is the yardstick.
Why it matters: Tournament goals win matches. Balogun offers the striker instincts and finishing touch the U.S. has intermittently lacked at the international level, giving Pochettino a clear attacking focal point.
Christian Pulisic — Forward (AC Milan, Serie A)
Pulisic remains the symbolic and tactical leader of the USMNT despite a club-level scoring drought. His creativity, experience in major tournaments and ability to carry responsibility make him indispensable to team identity.
Why it matters: Even without regular club goals, Pulisic’s movement and chance-creation anchor the U.S. attack. His presence forces opponents to account for him, opening space for teammates.
Weston McKennie — Midfielder (Juventus, Serie A)
McKennie’s versatility is tournament gold: he can fill midfield, wing-back and even advanced roles while offering leadership and physicality. He’s enjoying the best season of his career, contributing goals and assists across competitions.
Why it matters: McKennie is Pochettino’s super-utility piece — the player who can plug tactical gaps and stabilize the team under pressure. His form makes him more than a utility option; he’s a likely starter in whichever shape the coach chooses.
Tactical implications and roster balance
With these five near-certainties, Pochettino must still weigh depth across goalkeeper, center back, central midfield and the forward line. Richards and Freese provide foundational spine pieces; Balogun and Pulisic supply attacking outlet and creativity; McKennie offers tactical elasticity.
A likely approach is to prioritize multifunctional players who can rotate without destabilizing the XI. That favors versatile defenders and midfielders, and a forward group comprising a primary striker plus interchangeable wide attackers.
Concerns and final decision drivers
Fitness over the next week and form in the closing club fixtures will be decisive. Pochettino values structure and pressing intensity, so players who fit that model and demonstrate match sharpness will have an edge. Injuries — even minor tweaks — could prompt last-minute changes given the tight timeline.
Expect marginal selections to hinge on specific tactical roles (e.g., a wing-back vs. a natural fullback) rather than pure reputation. That pragmatic lens benefits players who are currently delivering consistent performances.
What’s next
The roster drop on May 26 will lock in Pochettino’s short-term World Cup plan and start media, fan and tactical debate in earnest.
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For now, Freese, Richards, Balogun, Pulisic and McKennie are the pillars around which the U.S. project should be built — how Pochettino blends them with supporting pieces will determine whether the home-side advantage turns into knockout-stage momentum.
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