USMNT World Cup roster leak reveals Mauricio Pochettino surprises

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Mauricio Pochettino's team is set -Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


The USMNT roster for the World Cup has been leaked, with Mauricio Pochettino seemingly poised to make several surprising choices.

With the World Cup scheduled to kick off in less than three weeks, the 26-man squads for different nations have been announced. Pochettino will formally reveal his USMNT roster on Tuesday, but leaks seem to have disclosed who is in - and who is out.

While Atletico Madrid midfielder Johnny Cardoso is expected to miss out, Lyon's Tanner Tessmann was anticipated to be included. However, he has allegedly been omitted, while Alejandro Zendejas and Gio Reyna have been selected over Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna.

• Alexi Lalas slams USMNT over ‘pressure’ concerns ahead of World Cup

• Tim Weah risks angering Mauricio Pochettino ahead of World Cup after backing Zohran Mamdani's scheme

Tessmann out​

The USMNT boasts a solid midfield with the likes of Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, while Cristian Roldan and Sebastian Berhalter are anticipated to be named to the midfield contingent. Pochettino seems set to take just four central midfielders, and Cardoso's injury looked to open the door for Tessmann.

You must be registered for see images attach

Tanner Tessmann -Creditmar Vega, Getty Images

However, the 24-year-old sustained a muscle strain at Lyon two weeks ago. He was still anticipated to be included in the roster, though his omission could be injury-related. Tessmann featured in 29 league matches for Lyon this season, with 22 starts.

Another unexpected midfield omission is Aidan Morris. The Middlesbrough midfielder played extensively in the USMNT's March friendlies against Portugal and Belgium.

Zendejas and Reyna in​

The inclusion of Club America winger Zendejas ranks among the more surprising selections anticipated in Pochettino's call-up. The 28-year-old has been one of Liga MX's most lethal attackers, netting 12 goals and registering seven assists for Club America this season.

Despite his impressive domestic form, Pochettino has afforded Zendejas just 139 minutes across six appearances for the national team, with his most recent outing coming as a substitute on September 9 against Japan.

You must be registered for see images attach

Alejandro Zendejas -Credit:Agustin Cuevas, Getty Images

Reyna's selection is equally eyebrow-raising. The 23-year-old has managed only 520 minutes for Borussia Mönchengladbach this season, though Pochettino has repeatedly spoken highly of him, setting aside his club form and emphasizing his potential at the international level.

The selections of Zendejas and Reyna have come at the expense of USMNT and MLS fan favorite Luna, who has failed to make the roster — a notable omission given Pochettino's previous praise of his intensity on both sides of the ball.

Luna's absence also deals a blow to FOX Sports, the World Cup's broadcast rights holder. The 22 year old has been prominently featured in promotional campaigns for the tournament and even modeled the new USMNT kit ahead of this summer's competition.

• USMNT legend Brad Friedel weighs in on Johnny Cardoso's World Cup-ending injury

• U.S. Soccer boss opens up on Mauricio Pochettino’s future as World Cup nears

Although Luna has been managing persistent knee and muscular issues throughout 2026, his inclusion had still been widely anticipated. He missed the March camp due to injury but returned in strong form, contributing four goals and two assists in just seven MLS appearances.

Projected complete USMNT squad​

Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)

Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergino Dest (PSV), 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 (AFC Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)

Attacking midfielders/wingers: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Christian Pulisic (Milan), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Tim Weah (Marseille), Alejandro Zendejas (Club America)

Strikers: Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Haji Wright (Coventry City)

Continue reading...