“We are looking for a serial winning coach and a coach that can also build on the work that has already been put in place.” – Matt Crocker, US Soccer Sporting Director, before hiring Mauricio Pochettino.
Team USA has the services of 52-year-old Mauricio Pochettino, one of the world’s highest-profile managers at the helm of the affairs. He brings his wealth of experience at some of the biggest clubs in the game – Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Paris Saint-Germain – alongside relatively successful stints at lower-level clubs in top European leagues like EPL’s Southampton and La Liga’s Espanyol.
Pochettino’s high profile was meant to match the high task in front of him – that means leading the USMNT to a respectable performance at the 2026 World Cup on home soil. Undoubtedly, part of the Argentine’s major task towards the Mundial would be selecting a 26-man roster for the national team.
Below is a way-too-early prediction of Team USA’s roster at the 2026 home World Cup. While the US national soccer team barely has superstar players, some players look likely to field in Pochettino’s 2026 World Cup squad. Some others are, at best, likely, having never played in the USA’s national colors.
What Are Team USA’s Chances at the 2026 Home World Cup?
“We need to believe that we can win, that we can win all (of the) games. We can win the World Cup.” – Pochettino’s introductory Press Conference as USMNT coach.
The USMNT put up an abysmal outing at the last Copa America – earning the unwanted tag of being the first host nation to fail to reach the knockout stage since the Group Stage was introduced in 1975. Following their considerably poor outing last summer, fans have been wondering if the next big tournament will yield any more favorable outcome.
That’s why coach Gregg Berhalter got fired as head coach of the United States Men’s National Team. It’s also why the team hired a maestro in Mauricio Pochettino. To date, the team as it stands, the best prediction could be expecting Team USA to move past the group stage of a major competition this time. If you are a betting man, this should be your realistic projection. As Kate Richardson, a top tipster at MightyTips said, the USMNT has had a number of disappointing outcomes at major tournaments in recent years and this has dampened the faith of bettors who would have backed them.
However, while the team’s chances are slim, it is not entirely out of question they can reach the round of 16. And while Pochettino is shooting for the stars, finishing in the top 8 could easily make another underdog story for the USMNT World Cup history. Punters who are looking to back them all the way in this quest and bet on other teams should start looking for tips on the best 2026 FIFA World Cup betting sites from MightyTips to place their wagers.
Predicted Starting Lineup of Team USA Team for the 2026 World Cup (4-3-3)
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Matt Turner, who fields in goal for Nottingham Forest, looks most likely to be Pochettino’s first-choice goalkeeper at the next World Cup. Here’s a rundown of players who look likely to make the starting XI in a 4-3-3 formation.
- Matt Turner
- Chris Richards
- Miles Robinson
- Sergino Dest
- Antonee Robinson
- Tyler Adams
- Weston McKennie
- Malikk Tillman
- Christian Pulisic
- Folarin Balogun
- Tim Weah
Breakdown of the Predicted USMNT Player Roster
Following is a prediction of Mauricio Pochettino’s likely player roster for the 2026 World Cup held across three countries – Mexico, Canada, and the United States of America. Bar injuries and significant drops in form, these players could easily make the USMNT lineup (or come close to), thanks to their current form and career history.
Goalkeeper
Matt Turner, who fields in goal for Nottingham Forest, looks most likely to be the USMNT’s first-choice goalkeeper going into June 2026. Turner, who also has some significant USA starting XI cap numbers, has consistently shown his quality between the sticks before. However, his current lack of minutes and confidence due to his situation at his club could see him offer his services elsewhere during subsequent transfer windows before the next Mundial. With Matt Turner in goal, Team USA could look primed for their best possible back line come June 2026.
Meanwhile, Patrick Schulte, who plays for Major League Soccer side Columbus Crew, looks likely to get a national team call-up as his stock keeps rising on the club front. Next comes Diego Kochen, an 18-year-old Florida native who has been with FC Barcelona for years now, working himself through the academy to the second team and signing a long-term contract. Despite his age, getting him some exposure to the tournament could prove valuable to the youngster – and ultimately the national team.
Defense
Sadly, no center back – not Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Miles Robinson, or Mark McKenzie – has shown that they must be included in the 2026 squad with a legitimate performance history. There are hopes McKenzie would make a move to the French top flight. Former FC Dallas player Tim Richards might get more EPL minutes with Crystal Palace, and Ream just has to avoid declining in form for MLS side Charlotte FC for as long as he can. Hopefully, Pochettino can find a new center back defender with a “starter status” between now and 2026.
For the fullbacks, Pochettino has options in Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Caleb Wiley (Strasbourg), and Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg). Thanks to Dest’s regular minutes with his team, Scally’s fine prospects as a backup, and Robinson’s reliability at left-back, the first three could well pick themselves.
That said, Paredes has proven ability to play as an out-an-out winger which potentially brings versatility to any squad. Caleb Wiley, on the other hand, is fresh off a move to Ligue 1.
Midfield
Bournemouth’s midfielder Tyler Adams will look qualified enough for every chance under Pochettino, save his injury issues. Little wonder he was the player to captain the national side during the last World Cup. Real Betis’ Johnny Cardoso and Lyon’s Tanner Tessmann are waiting in the wings, with some modest performance histories on the ball.
Higher up the field, Weston McKennie (Juventus) will likely reprise his role as the USMNT’s go-to Number 8, while another improving season at AC Milan could inch Yunus Musah closer to being a comfortable replacement for McKennie.
Besides Yunus Musah, PSV’s Malik Tillman and Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna look like the most credible selection for the attacking midfield roles. However, Pochettino can only field one of them on the pitch at once.
Forward
The obvious names are AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic and Juventus’ Tim Weah who are clear favorites to join the 11 starters, being part of the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 squad. Meanwhile, both Weah and Pulisic scored a goal each at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and have been impressive for their teams this season.
18-year-old Cole Campbell (Borussia Dortmund) might not have top-level world cup history, he is another intriguing name that could make Pochettino’s squad, thanks to a dearth of quality wingers at the U.S. national team.
And while things haven’t gone as smoothly for Folarin Balogun at AS Monaco, his shot-creating ability, impressive run of form, and off-ball movement primes him enough to make the Mundial’s final shortlist. 19-year-old Ricardo Pepi has been establishing himself as a second-top striker option for the USMNT for his club side in the Netherlands.
Step forward Josh Sargent looks the part of a goal threat up front with Norwich City in the English Championship and could get playing time at a higher level before June 2026. Lastly, Coventry City’s Haji Wright can do more than just be a number 9, having enjoyed playing time as a winger in the Championship and could be a valuable addition in the training camp after the World Cup qualifying matches are over in June 2026. With his comfort out wide and via the middle, Wright could make a significant addition to a future line-up in a World Cup squad.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Pochettino would have multiple friendlies during the FIFA windows for FIFA qualifying matches or UEFA Nations League events to prepare his side for the competition, having already qualified as hosts. He’ll also hope that his best players don’t miss out due to injuries so he can have a healthy squad to compete favorably at the Mundial on home soil.
Regardless of who eventually makes the USMNT’s squad, Pochettino would operate under microscopic lenses through the end of the 2026 World Cup for managing a host nation. Hopefully, the Argentine would live up to his credible portfolio by the end of the next Mundial.
