The United States men's national team's final 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup has been obtained by The Guardian, revealing several bold choices by head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Club América winger Alejandro Zendejas has been included despite limited international action under Pochettino, while Lyon defensive midfielder Tanner Tessmann misses the cut. Borussia Mönchengladbach's Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter of the Vancouver Whitecaps also make the squad, but in-form Real Salt Lake playmaker Diego Luna is a surprising omission.
Zendejas, 28, has been one of Liga MX's most prolific forwards this season, tallying 12 goals and seven assists in over 2,400 minutes to power Club América's attack. However, his USMNT opportunities have been scarce under Pochettino, with just 139 minutes across six appearances and his most recent cap in September 2025 against Japan. His selection suggests the Argentine manager values his club form and attacking versatility, even though he has been a peripheral figure in the national team setup. With only three strikers named, Zendejas's ability to play across the front line could prove crucial.
Tessmann's exclusion raises questions, particularly given his strong campaign at Lyon, where he started 22 of 29 Ligue 1 matches. The 24-year-old suffered a muscle strain two weeks ago, but it remains unclear if that was the decisive factor. Alongside Middlesbrough's Aidan Morris—who also didn't make the cut—Tessmann seemed well-positioned after Johnny Cardoso's high-grade ankle injury earlier this month. Instead, Pochettino has opted for a midfield corps of just four players: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Cristian Roldan, and Berhalter. McKennie, who featured in an advanced role during March friendlies, now looks set to drop deeper, highlighting the thinness in central areas.
Reyna's inclusion is perhaps the most controversial. The 23-year-old has played a mere 520 minutes for Mönchengladbach this season, though he did feature in the club's final five league matches. Pochettino has repeatedly expressed admiration for Reyna, making it clear he was willing to select him irrespective of club form. This faith comes despite the shadow of the 2022 World Cup, where Reyna nearly was sent home for behavioral issues, followed by a public feud between his parents and then-coach Gregg Berhalter. Now, with Gregg's son Sebastian also on the roster, the narrative takes on added layers. Sebastian Berhalter, 25, forced his way into the squad after a standout MLS campaign that saw him earn Best XI honors and lead Vancouver to the MLS Cup final and Concacaf Champions Cup final. His dead-ball delivery adds a valuable dimension to the squad.
Diego Luna's omission will draw significant scrutiny. The 22-year-old emerged as a breakout star during the buildup, earning praise from Pochettino for his two-way aggression and chipping in four goals in 17 appearances. A recent injury disrupted his rhythm, but he returned strong with four goals and two assists in seven MLS games since April. He was also a centerpiece of Fox's promotional campaign for the tournament, yet those marketing decisions were made independently of the coaching staff. Luna has been managing knee and muscular issues, which may have factored into Pochettino's thinking, but his absence still surprises given his form and previous role in the team.
The defensive unit is notably oversized, with 10 players selected for what will likely be four or five starting spots. Chris Richards makes the team despite Crystal Palace announcing he would miss their season finale with torn ankle ligaments, indicating Pochettino's confidence in his recovery. Noahkai Banks, the dual-national center-back who left his international future open and turned down a March call-up as he considered Germany, is not included. The fullback positions are deep, with Sergiño Dest, Antonee Robinson, Joe Scally, and others providing quality and experience. In goal, Chicago Fire's Chris Brady, uncapped but in excellent MLS form, joins Matt Freese and Matt Turner as the presumed third choice.
Half of the squad—13 players—are set for their second World Cup, while the other 13 will be first-timers, highlighting a blend of continuity and renewal. The final two warm-up matches against Senegal on May 31 and Germany on June 6 will offer Pochettino a last chance to fine-tune before FIFA's June 1 roster deadline, with changes only permitted in "exceptional cases."
The roster reflects Pochettino's willingness to trust his instincts and past relationships, even when club form or conventional logic might suggest otherwise. Zendejas's inclusion and Tessmann's exclusion, in particular, underscore a gamble on attacking depth and a lean midfield. As the US prepares to host the World Cup, the pressure will be immense, and Pochettino's selections will be scrutinized until the opening whistle.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.