American players in World Cup spotlight as European seasons start

USMNT Players Eyeing 2026 World Cup

As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup begins, American soccer fans are keeping a close eye on developments abroad. With several players from the U.S. men’s team now competing in leagues like the Premier League, Bundesliga, and LaLiga, there’s plenty of interest.

The 2025-26 season holds particular significance for a number of these athletes. Their performances this year could determine their chances of making the World Cup roster. Among them, Christian Pulisic and Gio Reyna have captured a lot of attention.

Pulisic, now in his third year with AC Milan in Serie A, skipped this summer’s Gold Cup and has faced criticism, especially from former USMNT players. This led to a notable back-and-forth involving Landon Donovan and Pulisic’s father. Nevertheless, the midfielder has made quite a name for himself in Italy, scoring 32 goals in his first two seasons. AC Milan aims to improve on last year’s eighth-place finish, and they’re relying on his contributions. After a minor ankle injury, he’s back to full training, just in time for the start of Serie A on August 23rd.

Meanwhile, Reyna appears to be starting the season with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, but the buzz suggests his future there might be uncertain. He was rumored to be transferring to Serie A’s Palma over the summer but will need a solid start to keep alive his World Cup aspirations. After getting only 12 minutes during Dortmund’s run at the Club World Cup, the club has indicated that he’s relinquished the number 7 jersey he wore since 2021, complicating his situation further.

There are also other USMNT players worth watching this European season.

Tyler Adams, AFC Bournemouth (Premier League): Adams, the USMNT captain, enjoyed his best season yet with Bournemouth, where he has emerged as a leader in what was a strong run last season.

Brenden Aaronson, Leeds United (Premier League): Aaronson participated in five matches during the Gold Cup, contributing goals and assists. Last year, he played a key role in Leeds’ promotion from the EFL Championship to the Premier League.

Malik Tillman, Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga): Tillman made a move from PSV to Leverkusen this summer. Over two years at PSV, he achieved 25 goals and 17 assists, helping the team secure consecutive league titles.

Timothy Weah, Olympique de Marseille (Ligue 1): After two seasons with Juventus, Weah has returned to Ligue 1. This opportunity is crucial for him as he aims for playing time leading into the 2026 World Cup.

Sergiño Dest, PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie): Dest made an impact in his opening match this season, scoring for PSV. He missed most of the last season due to injuries and had to exit the Gold Cup with an ACL injury.

Johnny Cardoso, Atletico Madrid (LaLiga): The 23-year-old midfielder recently completed his transfer from Real Betis to Atletico Madrid after a frustrating summer in the Gold Cup.