USMNT Unveils World Cup Roster: Zendejas Selected, Luna and Others Left Out
The United States has confirmed its 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, announced by head coach Mauricio Pochettino during a live event at Pier 17 in Manhattan on Tuesday afternoon. This roster aligns with an earlier exclusive report by the Guardian. Among the most significant omissions is Diego Luna, the Real Salt Lake midfielder, who has accumulated the second-most minutes among attacking players during Pochettino’s tenure. Other surprising exclusions include midfielders Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris. Conversely, Alejandro Zendejas, a winger from Club América, makes the roster despite having played just 139 minutes under Pochettino. The squad shows continuity as it retains a youthful core that participated in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, featuring key players like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Chris Richards, and Tim Weah. The roster includes: 13 players with previous World Cup experience An equal number of debutants Pochettino expressed confidence in the selected players, stating, "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." The team prepares for a warm-up match against Senegal in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 31 May, followed by a friendly against Germany on 6 June in Chicago. The US opens its World Cup campaign against Paraguay on 12 June in Inglewood, California, and continues with matches against Australia on 19 June and Turkey on 25 June.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-05-26