Head coach Mauricio Pochettino announced the U.S. squad for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday in New York, featuring Christian Pulisic and excluding midfielder Tanner Tessmann.
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U.S. national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino officially unveiled his 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday at Pier 17 in Manhattan. The squad, which could still change in the event of injury before June 11, was announced at an event attended by media, fans, and members of the American soccer community.
The roster selection generated immediate discussion. Midfielder Tanner Tessmann's omission marked the most significant surprise, while the inclusions of attacking midfielders Gio Reyna and Alejandro Zendejas drew attention. Midfielder Cristian Roldan also secured a spot on the final squad. Several players who appeared in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar retained their places on the team.
Pochettino communicated the roster decisions through multiple channels. All 55 players on the provisional squad received email notification on Friday regarding their selection status. Those who made the final 26 also received video messages from Pochettino. According to U.S. Soccer, players selected for the squad received the video before the email, though multiple players, including Gio Reyna, reported seeing the email first.
The method of communication drew criticism from some observers. Former U.S. forward Herculez Gomez said it was inexcusable for Pochettino not to call players he cut from the squad. Gomez noted that former U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann had informed him of his omission from the 2014 World Cup squad via voicemail.
During a news conference, Pochettino defended his approach to the roster announcement. He described the selection process as "painful" and characterized the moment as one for communication rather than inspiration. Pochettino argued that players would not want to speak to him immediately after being cut from the squad. "When I was a player, when I didn't make the roster I didn't want my coach to call me," he said during an appearance on ESPN's Futbol Americas show.
The roster reflects a mix of World Cup experience, established European-based players, and competitors who gained ground during the final stages of the selection process. Pochettino's selections prioritized players with competitive experience and familiarity with the national team environment.
Christian Pulisic is listed as a player to watch for the tournament. The U.S. national team currently holds a FIFA world ranking of 16. The team's best World Cup performance came in 1930 when the U.S. finished third. Landon Donovan holds the records for most appearances with 12 and most goals with 5 in U.S. World Cup history.
Pochettino's contract with U.S. Soccer ends after the World Cup concludes.
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