Roster Tracker USMNT World Cup 2026: Weah, Sands, Wright tally

U.S. Men’s National Team striker Haji Wright came off the bench for Coventry City to score the match winner in a 2-1 win over Leicester City, midfielder/forward Tim Weah put one in for Marseille in their rout over Angers, and midfielder James Sands helped FC St. Pauli claw back from two down scoring the first in an eventual 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund in matches involving the top candidates for the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. Along the way, 14 players started and 17 players saw time for their European clubs.

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 Sunday, January 25, 2026

Christian Pulisic, F, 27, AC Milan: started and went 73 minutes in 1-0 win over Lecce on Sunday, January 18. Started and went 90 in 3-1 win at Como on Thursday, January 15. Next match Sunday, January 25, at Roma. 

Weston McKennie, MF, 27, Juventus: started and went 80 minutes in 1-0 loss win to Cagliari amidst swirling rumors of a summer move to one of several suitors, including Atletico Madrid, Manchester United (unconfirmed), and at least one other Premier League club.  Next match v Benfica, Wednesday, January 21. 

Antonee Robinson, D, 28, Fulham: went 90 minutes on Saturday, January 17, in 1-0 loss at Leeds United. Next match v Brighton, Saturday, January 24. 2026.

Jonathan Klinsmann, GK, 28, Cesena: started and went 90 minutes in 2-1 win v Reggiana. Klinsmann also signed a contract extension with Cesena until 2028. Next match v Bari, Saturday, January 24, 2026.

Auston Trusty, D, 27, Celtic FC: Did not dress for 2-0 Scottish Cup win over Auchinleck Talbot on Sunday, January 18. Went 90 minutes in 1-0 win at Falkirk on Wednesday, January 14. Next match v Bologna, Thursday, January 22nd.   

Joe Scally, D, 23, Borussia Monchengladbach: went 90 minutes in 0-0 draw with Hamburger SV on Saturday, January 17. Went 90 in a 5-1 loss at TSG Hoffenheim Wednesday, January 14. Next match Sunday, January 25, v VfB Stuttgart. 

Gio Reyna, MF, 23, Borussia Monchengladbach: Came on in the 69th minute in 0-0 draw with Hamburger SV on Saturday, January 17.  Did not play in 5-1 loss at TSG Hoffenheim. Next match Sunday, January 25, v VfB Stuttgart. 

Sergino Dest, D/MF, 25, PSV Eindhoven: went first 45 in 4-1 win over FC Den Bosch. Next match Wednesday, January 21 v Newcastle United in Europa League. 

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:  Did not dress due to a foot injury for 5-1 win over OGC Nice on Saturday, January 17. Next match v Brest Sunday, January 25.

John Tolkin, D, 23, Holstein Kiel: Went 90 in 2-0 win over SC Paderborn. Next match Friday, January 23, 2026, v DSC Arminia Bielefeld.

Tanner Tessmann, MF, 24, Olympique Lyonnais: started and played 73 minutes in Lyon’s 2-1 win over Stade Brestois 29. Next match Thursday, January 22, 2026, v BSC Young Boys in Europa League.

Aidan Morris, MF, 24, Middlesbrough: started and went 90 in 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion Friday, January 16, 2026. Next match Wednesday, January 21, 2026, v Stoke City. 

Brenden Aaronson, MF, 25, Leeds United: went 90 in 1-0 win v Fulham on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Next match Monday, January 26, 2026, at Everton. 

Folarin Balogun, F, 24, AS Monaco:  Gained an assist and went 90 in 3-1 loss to FC Lorient on Friday, January 16, 2026. Next match Tuesday, January 20, 2026, v Real Madrid in Champions League. 

Haji Wright, F, 27, Coventry City: Scored match winner after coming off the bench in the 67th minute of a 2-1 win over Leicester City. Next match Tuesday, January 20, 2026 v Millwall.  

Josh Sargent, F, 25, Norwich City: Did not play in win over Wrexham on the weekend. Is now training with the 2nd team. Last week: 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): Went 90 and scored the 4th goal in a 5-2 win over Angers on Saturday, January 17. Next match Wednesday, January 21, 2026 v Liverpool FC in Champions League. 

James Sands, MF, 25, FC St. Pauli:  Went 90 and scored in an eventual 3-2 loss at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Next match Friday, January 23, 2026 v Hamburger SV.

Chris Richards, D, 25, Crystal Palace: Went 90 and led Palace in numerous categories in a 2-1 loss to Sunderland on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Next match Sunday, January 25, 2026, v Chelsea.

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

Matt Turner, GK, 31. New England Revolution (from Lyon)