Roster Tracker: USMNT World Cup 2026

The first match of the FIFA World Cup on June 12 is approaching somewhat rapidly for the U.S. Men’s National Team. A strong showing as one of the three host countries with Mexico and Canada is a must. Anything else is unacceptable. Coach Mauricio Pochettino will be faced with whittling the roster down to 23-26 players for the three group stage matches… and beyond. Maybe, just maybe, the USMNT will end up in Kansas City for a quarterfinal.

Thus, we will be following the top 32 players (at the moment) who are the strongest candidates for the final roster per the latest callups and history. How much playing time is each seeing? Are they being productive? Will a strong show of form mean a surprise addition, and subsequent subtraction, from the roster?

Consider this weekly column your reference.

as of Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Christian Pulisic, F, 27, AC Milan: two chances in 90 minutes as a forward in a 3-5-2 v Fiorentina in 1-1 draw. Next match Thursday, January 15, 2026 v Como

Weston McKennie, MF, 27, Juventus: scored and went 90 minutes in 5-0 win over Cremonese. Next match v Cagliari, Saturday, January 17, 2026 

Antonee Robinson, D, 28, Fulham: went 24 minutes in a 3-1 FA Cup win over Middlesbrough on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Next match at Leeds United, Saturday, January 17. 2026.

Jonathan Klinsmann, GK, 28, Cesena: started and went 90 minutes in 1-0 loss to Empoli FC. Next match v Reggiana, Saturday, January 17, 2026.

Auston Trusty, D, 27, Celtic FC: went 90 minutes in 4-0 win over Dundee United. Next match Wednesday, January 14, 2026, v Falkirk.   

Joe Scally, D, 23, Borussia Monchengladbach: started, scored, and went 88 minutes in 4-0 win over FC Augsburg. Next match Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Hoffenheim. 

Gio Reyna, MF, 23, Borussia Monchengladbach: came on for Scally in the 88th minute.

Sergino Dest, D/MF, 25, PSV Eindhoven: went 90 minutes in 5-1 win over Excelsior. Next match Wednesday, January 14, 2026, v FC Den Bosch. 

Ricardo Pepi, F, 23, PSV Eindhoven:  broke his arm when he tumbled after scoring during the first half of a 5-1 win over Excelsior on Saturday, January 10, 2026. It was the fifth league game in a row in which Pepi had scored. Pepi left the match in the 26th minute and is expected to be out two months.

Mark Mckenzie, D, 26, Toulouse FC: captained Toulouse FC in shootout victory in Coupe de France over Angers. Next match Saturday, January 17, 2026 v OGC Nice in Ligue 1.

John Tolkin, D, 23, Holstein Kiel: Winter break. Next match Sunday, January 18, 2026, v SC Paderborn.

Tanner Tessmann, MF, 24, Olympique Lyonnais: played 90 in Lyon’s win 2-1 over Lille in Coupe de France. Next match Sunday, January 18, 2026, v Stade Brestois 29.

Aidan Morris, MF, 24, Middlesbrough: went 90 in 3-1 loss to Fulham in FA Cup third round on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Next match Friday, January 16, 2026, v West Bromwich Albion. 

Brenden Aaronson, MF, 25, Leeds United: came on in the 89th minute in a 3-1 FA Cup win over Derby County on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Next match Saturday, January 17, 2026, v Fulham. 

Folarin Balogun, F, 24, AS Monaco: scored opener and went 86 minutes in 3-1 win over US Orleans in the Coup de France on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Next match Friday, January 16, 2026, v FC Lorient. 

Haji Wright, F, 27, Coventry City: started and played 71 minutes in FA Cup ouster after 1-0 loss at Stoke City. Next match Saturday, January 17, 2026, v Leicester City. 

Josh Sargent, F, 25, Norwich City: Refused to play in FA Cup match v Walsall as he is rumored to be on way to Toronto FC for a transfer fee of 18 million. Norwich manager Philippe Clement states the club has no intention of moving the forward in this transfer window per Josh Sargent transfer: Ex-Norwich star slams USMNT striker.

Tyler Adams, MF, 26, AFC Bournemouth: out with MCL tear. Expected back mid-February.  

Tim Weah, MF, 25, Marseille (on loan from Juventus): Back in action in the French Cup Round of 32 v Bayeux FC on Tuesday, January 13. 

James Sands, MF, 25, FC St. Pauli: Match on Saturday, January 10, 2026, canceled due to severe weather. Back in action Wednesday, January 14, 2026, v VFL Wolfsburg.

Chris Richards, D, 25, Crystal Palace: Went 90 in 2-1 loss to Macclesfield in FA Cup on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Next match Saturday, January 17, 2026, v Sunderland.

Major League Soccer clubs have all reported to preseason in various locations. League matches begin Saturday, February 21, 2026.

Matt Freese, GK, 27, NYCFC

Alex Freeman, D, 21, Orlando City

Tim Ream, D, 38, Charlotte FC

Max Arfsten, D. 24, Columbus Crew

Miles Robinson, D, 28, FC Cincinnati

Sebastian Berhalter, MF, 24, Vancouver Whitecaps

Cristian Roldan, MF, 30, Seattle Sounders

Timmy Tillman, MF, 27, LAFC

Diego Luna, MF/F, 22, RSL

Roman Celentano, GK, 25, FC Cincinnati

Patrick Schulte, GK, 24, Columbus Crew