Pochettino Names 26-Man USMNT Squad for Home World Cup, with Reyna In and Luna Left Behind

By WorldCup.NYC Editorial — May 26, 2026

Announced at a public event in New York City, the final roster features eight MLS players, a surprise inclusion in Alex Zendejas, and a controversial omission in Diego Luna.

Mauricio Pochettino unveiled his 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday in New York City, completing months of deliberation with a squad built around established European stars, a growing MLS contingent, and at least one decision that will fuel debate from now through kick-off. The announcement, made at a public event in the city that will host the World Cup Final on July 19, confirmed what many had expected — and delivered one significant surprise and one painful omission that will define the pre-tournament conversation.

The Stars and Stripes open Group D competition on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, with subsequent group stage matches in Seattle against Australia (June 19) and back in Los Angeles against Türkiye (June 25). If the United States advances through the knockout rounds, the ultimate destination is New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford — where the championship match will be contested in front of what FIFA expects to be one of the largest crowds in World Cup Final history.

The Full Roster

The 26-man squad spans three goalkeepers, 10 defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards. Eight of the 26 currently play in MLS, reflecting the league's rising standing as a proving ground for World Cup contention.

The Decisions That Will Define the Tournament Narrative

Reyna In — and the Questions That Come With It

Giovani Reyna's inclusion may be the most discussed selection on the squad. The Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder managed just 510 Bundesliga minutes this season, ranking him 19th among Americans playing in Europe's top five leagues. Pochettino has repeatedly stated that consistent club form is a prerequisite for consideration — a standard that Reyna conspicuously did not meet in the conventional sense. Nonetheless, the Argentine coach retained faith in the 22-year-old's talent, selecting him ahead of players who had been far more productive domestically.

That decision inevitably invites a direct comparison with Diego Luna, the Real Salt Lake midfielder who became a fan favorite and featured prominently in U.S. Soccer's pre-tournament marketing. Luna's omission, alongside that of Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann, represents the most pointed statement Pochettino has made about the direction of his squad.

Zendejas: The Selection Nobody Saw Coming

Alex Zendejas, the Club América forward who had not appeared for the USMNT since September 2025 and earned limited minutes under Pochettino throughout the qualifying cycle, was nonetheless named to the final 26. The inclusion surprised much of the soccer press, which had largely written him out of contention. Zendejas brings pace and versatility to a forward group already featuring Pulisic, Balogun, Aaronson, Pepi, Weah, and Wright.

The MLS Presence

Eight domestic players earned selection: goalkeepers Brady (Chicago Fire), Freese (NYCFC), and Turner (New England Revolution); defenders Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Ream (Charlotte FC), and Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati); and midfielders Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps) and Roldan (Seattle Sounders). Freese's inclusion is of particular interest to New York audiences — the NYCFC goalkeeper has been among the better shot-stoppers in the league this season.

Sebastian Berhalter's call-up also draws scrutiny independent of his play: the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder is the son of former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter. His emergence as one of MLS's more effective set-piece deliverers provides a performance basis for the selection, though attention will follow him regardless.

The Core Remains Intact

Whatever the debate around the edges, the spine of the squad is unambiguous. Christian Pulisic leads the roster with 84 international caps, flanked in experience by Tim Ream (80), Weston McKennie (64), Brenden Aaronson (57), Matt Turner (53), Tyler Adams (52), Antonee Robinson (52), and Tim Weah (49) — all veterans of the 2022 Qatar campaign. Thirteen of the 26 played no part in Qatar, meaning the squad balances hard-won experience with a younger generation that has spent four years building toward this moment.

"We are confident this is the best group of 26 players to help us achieve success at the World Cup. These were very difficult decisions, and we are thankful to all the players who were part of this journey. This group is very focused and ready to give everything they have to represent the United States and deliver performances that will make the fans and the country proud." — Mauricio Pochettino

What It Means for New York and New Jersey Fans

The United States will not play any group stage fixtures at New York New Jersey Stadium — the Americans' three group games are concentrated on the West Coast. But that doesn't diminish the stakes for supporters in the region. New York New Jersey Stadium will host five group stage matches beginning June 13, including marquee fixtures involving Brazil, France, Germany, and England, before becoming the setting for the Round of 32, the Round of 16, and ultimately the World Cup Final on July 19.

If Pochettino's squad navigates Group D and advances through the expanded knockout bracket — which includes a first-ever Round of 32 before the Round of 16 — a deep U.S. run carries a realistic possibility of the Americans appearing at the Meadowlands in the late rounds. For fans planning to attend matches at New York New Jersey Stadium, that prospect adds a different dimension to every local fixture.

U.S. Group Stage Schedule

New York New Jersey Stadium World Cup Schedule

Pochettino's squad now turns its attention to final pre-tournament friendlies — against Senegal in Charlotte on May 31 and Germany in Chicago on June 6 — before the competition begins in earnest. The window for debate is closing. The roster is set.