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The U.S. men's national team is still set to host a live roster unveiling event in New York on Tuesday. But the three-hour spectacle certainly lost a ton of its intrigue over the weekend.
After all, we now know the entire 26-man squad that USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino selected for the World Cup. On Friday, early reports about players who were informed of their World Cup fates started hitting social media.
And then, The Guardian acquired the full roster on Saturday. The leaked squad was later confirmed by ESPN.
So while Fox is probably going to try to manufacture suspense about the roster unveiling, we can just go ahead and break down the surprises and snubs now.
Goalkeepers (3): Matt Freese, Chris Brady, Matt Turner
Defenders (10): Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty, Joe Scally
Midfielders (6): Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman
Forwards (7): Brenden Aaronson, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas
Gio Reyna was nearly sent home from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to his behavior after Gregg Berhalter informed him he'd have a limited role in the tournament. That eventually led to an entire scandal between the Berhalter and Reyna families. Berhalter was re-hired for this World Cup cycle but fired after an embarrassing showing in the Copa America in 2024.
But what should have been a huge four years for the ultra-talented Reyna, has been a major disappointment. He's battled injuries and has seen limited playing time with Borussia Mönchengladbach. Still, the skill is undeniable, and he does perform with the USMNT. So, it did make sense for Reyna to get the call.
In another twist, Gregg's son, Sebastian, also made the team. The Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder somewhat recently broke into the squad after a call-up in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup — a secondary tournament these days.
His goal against Uruguay last year clearly left a lasting impression on Pochettino.
Pochettino is opting to play with fire in choosing to bring just four true midfielders to the World Cup. And many expected Tanner Tessmann to be safely among those chosen for the squad. The 24-year-old Lyon midfielder was shut down for the final few weeks of the Ligue 1 season with a muscle injury. But he was expected to be healthy in time for the World Cup. Yet, we have seen Pochettino leave players home due to fitness concerns in other international breaks.
Still, it's difficult to see how Tessmann was left off the roster if it wasn't an injury-related decision. Another injury to a midfielder, and the USMNT could be in a ton of trouble from a depth standpoint.
Diego Luna was also a surprising omission. He broke out during last year's Gold Cup and brought a kind of energy and tenacity that Pochettino theoretically should have wanted from his players. His inclusion seemed so likely that Luna had even been among the most prominent U.S. players in World Cup marketing. All that to not even make the team.
We'll have to wait to hear what went into the decision to leave the Real Salt Lake forward home.
Anyone who has followed the USMNT since the 2022 World Cup knew that this news was coming for Musah. Once considered among the most promising players in the entire talent pool, the 23-year-old midfielder has seen his performances fall off a cliff. He struggled mightily with AC Milan and his loan to Atalanta hasn't gone much better.
Musah had a chance to earn his place back into Pochettino's good graces, but he opted to skip last summer's Gold Cup. Despite expressing his desire to play in the World Cup, turning down a call-up sealed his fate with Pochettino.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: USMNT 26-man World Cup roster: Surprises and snubs from the leaked squad
Continue reading...
After all, we now know the entire 26-man squad that USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino selected for the World Cup. On Friday, early reports about players who were informed of their World Cup fates started hitting social media.
And then, The Guardian acquired the full roster on Saturday. The leaked squad was later confirmed by ESPN.
So while Fox is probably going to try to manufacture suspense about the roster unveiling, we can just go ahead and break down the surprises and snubs now.
The reported USMNT World Cup roster
Goalkeepers (3): Matt Freese, Chris Brady, Matt Turner
Defenders (10): Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty, Joe Scally
Midfielders (6): Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman
Forwards (7): Brenden Aaronson, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas
Surprise: Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter are in
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Gio Reyna was nearly sent home from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to his behavior after Gregg Berhalter informed him he'd have a limited role in the tournament. That eventually led to an entire scandal between the Berhalter and Reyna families. Berhalter was re-hired for this World Cup cycle but fired after an embarrassing showing in the Copa America in 2024.
But what should have been a huge four years for the ultra-talented Reyna, has been a major disappointment. He's battled injuries and has seen limited playing time with Borussia Mönchengladbach. Still, the skill is undeniable, and he does perform with the USMNT. So, it did make sense for Reyna to get the call.
Enjoy Gio Reyna’s first USMNT goal in 600 dayspic.twitter.com/ZCzTUCqg7H
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) November 15, 2025
In another twist, Gregg's son, Sebastian, also made the team. The Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder somewhat recently broke into the squad after a call-up in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup — a secondary tournament these days.
His goal against Uruguay last year clearly left a lasting impression on Pochettino.
Snub: Tanner Tessmann and Diego Luna are out
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Pochettino is opting to play with fire in choosing to bring just four true midfielders to the World Cup. And many expected Tanner Tessmann to be safely among those chosen for the squad. The 24-year-old Lyon midfielder was shut down for the final few weeks of the Ligue 1 season with a muscle injury. But he was expected to be healthy in time for the World Cup. Yet, we have seen Pochettino leave players home due to fitness concerns in other international breaks.
Still, it's difficult to see how Tessmann was left off the roster if it wasn't an injury-related decision. Another injury to a midfielder, and the USMNT could be in a ton of trouble from a depth standpoint.
Diego Luna was also a surprising omission. He broke out during last year's Gold Cup and brought a kind of energy and tenacity that Pochettino theoretically should have wanted from his players. His inclusion seemed so likely that Luna had even been among the most prominent U.S. players in World Cup marketing. All that to not even make the team.
We'll have to wait to hear what went into the decision to leave the Real Salt Lake forward home.
Not really a snub, but kind of? ... Yunus Musah
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Anyone who has followed the USMNT since the 2022 World Cup knew that this news was coming for Musah. Once considered among the most promising players in the entire talent pool, the 23-year-old midfielder has seen his performances fall off a cliff. He struggled mightily with AC Milan and his loan to Atalanta hasn't gone much better.
Musah had a chance to earn his place back into Pochettino's good graces, but he opted to skip last summer's Gold Cup. Despite expressing his desire to play in the World Cup, turning down a call-up sealed his fate with Pochettino.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: USMNT 26-man World Cup roster: Surprises and snubs from the leaked squad
Continue reading...
