The United States men’s national soccer team has finalized its 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Alejandro Zendejas earning a late call-up and Diego Luna left off the squad despite standout form in 2025. The selections, confirmed by multiple sources ahead of Tuesday’s official announcement in New York City, reflect coach Mauricio Pochettino’s high-risk, high-reward approach to assembling a team capable of breaking through in its home tournament.
Zendejas’s Late Surge and the Midfield Overhaul
Club América’s Alejandro Zendejas has secured a place on the roster, joining a squad that includes Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Gio Reyna and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Sebastian Berhalter. The inclusion of Zendejas, a 21-year-old winger who has been a standout in Mexico’s Liga MX, marks a bold move by Pochettino, who has repeatedly emphasized the need for creativity and attacking flair in the USMNT’s midfield. His selection comes despite the absence of Tanner Tessmann, Lyon’s defensive midfielder, who was expected to be a key figure in the squad’s build-up phase. The omission of Tessmann—alongside Diego Luna, a breakout star in MLS—suggests Pochettino prioritized youth and adaptability over proven experience in certain positions.
According to The Guardian, Zendejas’s inclusion was confirmed after multiple sources with knowledge of Pochettino’s selections authenticated the roster. The decision to exclude Tessmann, who has been a consistent performer for both club and country, may signal a shift toward a more fluid, possession-based system that favors technical players over pure defensive solidity.
Diego Luna’s Omission and the Injury Question
Diego Luna’s exclusion is particularly notable given his emergence as a breakout talent in 2025. The Real Salt Lake attacker scored four goals in 17 appearances for the USMNT last year and was a key figure in the team’s promotional efforts ahead of the World Cup. However, as The New York Times reported, Luna’s omission may stem from a lingering muscle injury that kept him out of March camp. Despite being cleared for action, Pochettino’s decision to pass on him suggests the coach values depth and versatility over individual standout performances.
Gio Reyna’s Second Chance and the Berhalter Family Reconciliation
Gio Reyna’s inclusion is the most dramatic story of this roster. The 23-year-old, who nearly faced ejection from the 2022 World Cup for behavioral issues, has been given another chance to prove himself on the world’s biggest stage. Reyna, the son of former USMNT player Claudio Reyna, has been a polarizing figure in the national team’s build-up, with his inconsistent form and past controversies casting doubt over his selection. Yet, Pochettino has repeatedly described him as a “special situation”—a player whose potential outweighs his recent struggles.
Reyna’s return to the World Cup squad is not without baggage. His parents’ public falling out with former coach Gregg Berhalter in the aftermath of the 2022 tournament created a rift that has lingered for years. However, as The New York Times notes, the situation appears to have been resolved, with both Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter (Gregg’s son) now part of the same squad. Reyna’s recent form—including a goal in the USMNT’s final five league matches for Borussia Mönchengladbach—has likely played a role in his selection.
In a statement to reporters ahead of the roster announcement, Reyna expressed his gratitude and determination: “I’m just hoping and waiting for the call-up, it would be an honor,” he said. “The national team means a lot to me. … I’d love to be there, have an impact on the team. It would be a dream to represent my country at the World Cup.”
“I’m just hoping and waiting for the call-up, it would be an honor. The national team means a lot to me. … I’d love to be there, have an impact on the team. It would be a dream to represent my country at the World Cup.”
Reyna’s inclusion also raises questions about Pochettino’s tactical approach. The coach has historically favored a high-pressing, possession-heavy style, and Reyna’s technical ability aligns with that philosophy. However, his lack of consistent minutes in the Bundesliga this season (just 509 minutes in 2025–26) suggests Pochettino is betting on his potential rather than his current form. This gamble could pay off if Reyna delivers in the tournament’s early stages, but it also carries the risk of another underwhelming performance.
Sebastian Berhalter, the 25-year-old son of former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, has secured his place on the World Cup roster after a meteoric rise in MLS. Unlike his father, who never played professionally, Sebastian has established himself as a key player for the Vancouver Whitecaps, earning a spot on the 2025 MLS Best XI and helping the team reach the MLS Cup final. His inclusion on the national team squad marks a significant achievement, particularly given his lack of international experience at the senior level.
Berhalter’s selection is a testament to Pochettino’s emphasis on development and adaptability. The coach has repeatedly praised Berhalter’s set-piece delivery and tactical intelligence, qualities that could be crucial in a tournament where dead-ball situations often decide matches. As The Guardian highlights, Berhalter’s ability to place corners in dangerous areas could give the USMNT a tactical edge, particularly in a tournament where possession and precision are key.
The reconciliation between the Berhalter and Reyna families, which has been a point of contention since 2022, appears to be complete. Gregg Berhalter called Gio Reyna into multiple camps after his rehiring as USMNT coach, including the 2024 CONCACAF Nations League and Copa América. This unity within the squad could create a cohesive midfield dynamic, blending Reyna’s creativity with Berhalter’s technical precision.
The Striker Debate and the Future of the Attack
While the midfield and defensive selections have drawn significant attention, the striker position remains one of the most intriguing storylines ahead of the World Cup. Christian Pulisic, the USMNT’s undisputed leader and AC Milan’s talisman, is expected to anchor the attack. However, the question of who will support him—and in what formation—remains unresolved.
As Sports Illustrated outlines, the striker pool is tight, with options like Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps) and Julian Hall (Red Bull New York) vying for spots. White, the highest-scoring U.S. player in the 2025 MLS Golden Boot race, has been a consistent performer in MLS but has yet to secure a World Cup call-up despite his form. Hall, an 18-year-old prodigy, has been the story of the season in MLS, scoring nine goals in 14 games under former USMNT midfielder Michael Bradley. His inclusion would mark a historic moment, as he would become the youngest USMNT player at a World Cup since 1986.
The absence of Diego Luna from the striker pool leaves a void, particularly given his four goals in 17 appearances for the USMNT in 2025. His omission may force Pochettino to rely on younger, less experienced options—or to experiment with a more fluid attacking system. Given the coach’s preference for possession and creativity, the striker selection could be a bellwether for the USMNT’s tactical identity in the tournament.
The official roster announcement is set for Tuesday in New York City, where Pochettino will unveil the full 26-man squad in a nationally televised event. The selections—particularly the inclusion of Zendejas, Reyna, and Berhalter—signal a team built on youth, creativity, and tactical flexibility. However, the omissions of Tessmann and Luna also highlight the risks Pochettino is taking in favor of long-term development.
As the USMNT prepares for its World Cup opener on June 11 against Paraguay, the focus will shift to how these players perform in camp and in the tournament’s early matches. Reyna’s ability to deliver under pressure, Berhalter’s impact in midfield, and the striker selection will be critical in determining whether Pochettino’s gamble pays off. If the team progresses beyond the group stage, it could mark a turning point for U.S. soccer—one that leverages home-field advantage to achieve its best World Cup result since 2002.
For now, the roster reflects a coach willing to take chances, even if it means leaving out proven performers in favor of potential. The question remains: Will this squad be the one that finally ends the USMNT’s World Cup drought?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup roster for the USMNT is a mix of experience, youth, and tactical innovation. With the official announcement just days away, the focus now turns to how these players will perform on the world’s biggest stage. One thing is certain: This is a team built for the future, and the stakes could not be higher.
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