Shakeup and catching fire: USMNT Roster Tracker FIFA World Cup 2026

Josh Sargent and Jonathan Klinsmann drop from the United States Men’s National Team depth chart in the buildup to the FIFA World Cup this summer. Jumping in are striker Patrick Ageymang, attacking midfielder Malik Tillman, and goalkeeper Matt Turner. Sargent’s continued transfer drama and subsequent lack of time with Norwich City could be the death knoll for the St. Louis native. And Klinsmann probably didn’t belong in the goalkeeper discussion anyway.

Afraid the USMNT may not have enough firepower come June? Keep eyes on Haji Wright and Ageymang – eight now for Derby County – as they heat up their goal scoring boots.

U.S. Men’s National Team striker Haji Wright scored for the second week in a row and backs Auston Trusty and Chris Richards also scored 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, 17 players started and 18 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 players (at the moment) who are the strongest candidates for the final roster per the latest callups and history. Who fits the 3-4-2-1 formation Pochettino seems to now favor? 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, understanding that Major League Soccer clubs are in preseason and those players are not detailed for now.

as of Monday, January 26, 2026

Strikers – 

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.

Folarin Balogun, F, 24, AS Monaco:  Went 90 in scoreless draw v Le Havre on January 24, 2026. Started and went 73 minutes in 6-1 loss to Real Madrid January 20. Next match v Juventus Wednesday, January 28 in Champions League. 

Haji Wright, F, 27, Coventry City: Started and went 70 minutes in 2-1 loss to Norwich City. Started, scored, and went 80 minutes in 2-1 win over Millwall January 20, 2026.  Next match Saturday, January 31 v Queens Park Rangers. 

Patrick Agyemang, 25, Derby County: Started, scored, and went 85 minutes in Derby’s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion. Next match Friday, January 30 v Bristol City.

Attacking Midfielders

Christian Pulisic, F, 27, AC Milan: came off the bench in the 67th minute in a 1-1 draw with AC Roma on Sunday, January 25. Next match Tuesday, February 3rd at Bologna.

Gio Reyna, MF, 23, Borussia Monchengladbach: Ruled out due to muscle injury in late scratch before Sunday, January 25, 3-0 loss to VfB Stuttgart. Next match Saturday, January 31 v Werder Bremen. 

Weston McKennie, MF, 27, Juventus: started and went 90 minutes in 3-0 win over Napoli on Sunday, January 25. Next match v Monaco, Wednesday, January 28. 

Brenden Aaronson, MF, 25, Leeds United: Started and went 85 minutes in 1-1 draw with Everton on January 26, 2026. Next match Saturday, January 31 v Arsenal. 

Malik Tillman, 23, Bayer Leverkusen, Started and went 57 minutes in 1-0 win over SV Werder Bremen on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Next match Wednesday, January 28 v Villarreal in Champions League.

Wing backs

Tim Weah, MF, 25, Marseille (on loan from Juventus): Started and went 90 in 3-1 win over Lens January 24. Started and went 90 in 3-0 loss to Liverpool in Champions League play January 21, 2026. Next match Wednesday, January 28 in Champions League v Club Brugge.  

Sergino Dest, D/MF, 25, PSV Eindhoven:  Went first 45 in 2-2 draw with NAC Breda on Saturday, January 24. Did not dress for a 3-0 loss to Newcastle United in Champions League play on Wednesday, January 21. Next match Wednesday, January 28 v Bayern Munich in Champions League. 

Antonee Robinson, D, 28, Fulham: started and went 59 minutes on Saturday, January 24, in 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Next match v Manchester United, Sunday, February 1, 2026.

John Tolkin, D, 23, Holstein Kiel: Went 90 in 2-2 draw with DSC Arminia Bielefeld. Next match Saturday, January 31, 2026, v SPVGG Greuther Furth.

Breaking news on 21-year-old Alex Freeman of Orlando City. The wing back is set to transfer to Villarreal.

Holding midfielders (one a 6 one an 8)

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

James Sands, MF, 25, FC St. Pauli:  Went all 90 minutes in 0-0 draw v Hamburger SV on Saturday, January 23, 2026. Next match Tuesday, January 27 v RB Leipzig.

Tanner Tessmann, MF, 24, Olympique Lyonnais: played 90 minutes in Lyon’s 5-2 win over FC Metz Sunday, January 25. Went 90 minutes in 1-0 win Thursday, January 22, 2026, over BSC Young Boys in Europa League. Next match Thursday, January 29, 2024, v in Europa League. 

Aidan Morris, MF, 24, Middlesbrough: Started and went 60 minutes in 4-0 win over Preston North End Saturday, January 24, 2026.  Started and went 90 in 2-1 win over Stoke City January 21, 2026. Next match Saturday, January 31 v Norwich City. 

Center Backs

Auston Trusty, D, 27, Celtic FC: Started, but sent off controversially in a 2-2 draw v Hearts on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Started and scored in Thursday, January 22, 2-2 draw with Bologna in Europa League. Next match: Europa League v Utrecht, Thursday, January 29.   

Joe Scally, D, 23, Borussia Monchengladbach: went 90 minutes in 3-0 home loss to VfB Stuttgart. Next match Saturday, January 31 v Werder Bremen. 

Mark Mckenzie, D, 26, Toulouse FC:  Went 90 and gained an assist in 2-0 win over Brest on Sunday, January 25. Next match Sunday, February 1 v AJ Auxerre.

Chris Richards, D, 25, Crystal Palace: Started, scored, and went all 90 in a 3-1 loss to Chelsea on January 25. The match marked his 100th with Crystal Palace. Next match v Nottingham Forest Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Goalkeeper

See below…

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

Sebastian Berhalter, MF, 24, Vancouver Whitecaps

Cristian Roldan, MF, 30, Seattle Sounders

Timmy Tillman, MF, 27, LAFC

Diego Luna, MF/F, 22, RSL

Tim Ream, D, 38, Charlotte FC

Max Arfsten, D. 24, Columbus Crew

Miles Robinson, D, 28, FC Cincinnati

Roman Celentano, GK, 25, FC Cincinnati

Patrick Schulte, GK, 24, Columbus Crew

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

Matt Freese, GK, 27, NYCFC