The United States men's national team will officially unveil its 26-player roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, as head coach Mauricio Pochettino prepares to finalize the squad representing the host nation at football's premier event next month. The announcement event will take place live from The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City and will be broadcast nationally on FOX from 3 p.m. ET on May 26 (12:30 a.m. IST on May 27 for viewers in India). US Soccer confirmed that the hour-long program will feature appearances from several American football legends and FOX Sports broadcasters, including Alexi Lalas, Stu Holden, Carli Lloyd, Rob Stone, Jenny Taft, and Landon Donovan, along with additional celebrity guests.
Historic World Cup on American Soil
The squad reveal comes amid growing anticipation for the United States ahead of the first men's FIFA World Cup hosted on American soil since 1994. That tournament ran from June 17 to July 17 and concluded with Brazil defeating Italy on penalties in the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This year's edition marks another milestone, with the United States co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico in an expanded 48-team format.
Pochettino's First Major Tournament with USMNT
Mauricio Pochettino, former manager of Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, has led the United States since September 2024 after replacing Gregg Berhalter. The Argentine coach has overseen 24 matches, recording 13 wins, two draws, and nine defeats heading into the tournament. Pochettino now faces the challenge of guiding a side aiming for its deepest World Cup run since reaching the quarter-finals in 2002. The United States failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup but returned in 2022, reaching the round of 16 before losing 3-1 to the Netherlands.
World Cup Schedule and Group Stage
The tournament officially begins on June 11 when Mexico faces South Africa in Mexico City. The United States opens its campaign against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The Americans are drawn into Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey, with group-stage matches scheduled from June 11 to June 27. The knockout rounds begin on June 28, and the final will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Leaks Reportedly Reveal Squad Before Official Announcement
While US Soccer organized a large-scale live event for the roster reveal, much of the suspense has been diminished after several reputable outlets published leaked versions of Pochettino's final selection. Reports from The Guardian and The Athletic claimed to have independently verified the majority of the 26-player squad. The leaks emerged shortly after reports indicated that Real Salt Lake playmaker Diego Luna would miss out despite strong performances.
According to widely reported leaked squad lists, AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic and Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie are expected to headline the group. Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Gio Reyna is reportedly included despite limited appearances, while Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, PSV Eindhoven forward Ricardo Pepi, and Coventry City attacker Haji Wright are expected to form the striker options.
Reported Leaked USMNT World Cup Squad
- Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
- Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)
- Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
- Attacking midfielders and wingers: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Tim Weah (Marseille), Alejandro Zendejas (Club América)
- Strikers: Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Haji Wright (Coventry City)
US Soccer regulations require the final World Cup roster to contain a minimum of 23 players and a maximum of 26, including at least three goalkeepers.
Final Preparations Begin After Announcement
Following Tuesday's announcement, the squad will travel to the Arthur M. Blank National Training Center in Fayette County, Georgia, for the final phase of preparations. The United States will play two pre-tournament friendlies: against Senegal on May 31 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, and against four-time world champions Germany on June 6 in Chicago, Illinois.
US Soccer stated that the New York event is part of its broader 'Never Chase Reality' campaign, aiming to inspire players and supporters to 'push beyond expectations and reimagine what's possible on the world stage through hard work, determination and an unyielding belief.' The announcement event is expected to feature several selected players as anticipation builds for the biggest men's football tournament ever staged across North America.
