The most notable omissions from the USMNT roster for the 2026 World Cup

2026 World Cup U.S. Men’s National Team Announced

The U.S. men’s national team roster for the upcoming 2026 World Cup has been officially revealed.

This 26-player squad, featuring prominent stars like Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Weston McKennie, faces the challenge of making a significant impact on home turf.

Not everyone made the cut, though.

Diego Luna, the dynamic midfielder from Real Salt Lake, was not included. He had become a regular under coach Mauricio Pochettino, even showcasing great resilience when he played through a broken nose against Costa Rica in January 2025. He was also a familiar face in some of the national team’s promotional campaigns.

Tanner Tessman, who was viewed as a potential starting defensive midfielder alongside Adams, also didn’t make the roster. Despite being sidelined with a muscle injury that had kept him out of Lyon’s last three matches, it was thought he could still participate in the tournament.

Yunus Moussa, who played a crucial role in the last World Cup, was another notable absence this time. The Bronx native hasn’t secured a starting position with Atalanta in Serie A, which likely didn’t help his chances.

Additionally, Jack McGlynn from Long Island, who currently plays for Houston Dynamo in MLS, and Aidan Morris, a frequent presence for Middlesbrough in the English Championship, were also left off the midfield roster.

In a late twist, 19-year-old winger Xavier Gozo, also from Real Salt Lake, didn’t emerge as a viable candidate until just before the announcement after a promising start to the MLS season, but it was probably too late for a surprise selection.

Tristan Blackmon was considered but ended up not being favored in a thin center-back pool. The 29-year-old, who joined Vancouver Whitecaps via trade, was still vying for a spot while holding only two caps since his move last September.