US Men’s National Team and the Upcoming World Cup

The last men’s World Cup match held in the United States was back in 1994, back when Alexi Lalas was still a notable figure in the sport. Over the years, while the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) has gradually improved its talent and visibility on the global stage, they still haven’t managed to achieve a standout performance that would shift the international perception of their capabilities.

As they gear up for the 2026 tournament, the U.S. sits at 17th in FIFA rankings, observing as World Cup co-host Mexico captures the last two Gold Cups. Their World Cup performance has been relatively steady; they’ve surpassed the group stage in three out of their last five tournaments. Yet, they haven’t made it to the finals since 2002, a year which saw them narrowly lose 1-0 to Germany.

A trend seems to persist, as predicted for this year’s competition. The U.S. is currently a -135 favorite to reach the Sweet 16, but even so, they find themselves trailing behind frontrunners like France, Spain, and England, with +260 odds for making it to the quarterfinals, placing them tied for 13th with Colombia.

Here’s a rundown of the 26 players aiming to redefine the USMNT’s fortunes and elevate the team to international prestige.

• #20 Folarin Balogun: After leading AS Monaco in goals last season, he’s now a strong contender to be America’s top scorer, averaging around 0.5 goals and assists per 90 minutes in Ligue 1.
• #9 Ricardo Pepi: Despite an injury earlier this year, Pepi has bounced back to become a key scorer for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie.
• #19 Haji Light: The star forward became Coventry City’s leading scorer and helped the team secure promotion to the Premier League.
• #21 Timothy Weah: With a Ballon d’Or-winning father (George Weah), he contributed significantly to Olympique de Marseille’s respectable Ligue 1 finish.
• #26 Alejandro Zendejas: He’s been consistently impressive in Liga MX with Club America, netting nine or more goals in both of the last three seasons.
• #10 Christian Pulisic: Now in his prime at 27, Pulisic has shaken off previous scoring slumps, totaling eight goals with AC Milan. He’s also a significant contender in the top scorer market.
• #4 Tyler Adams: The defender had a strong run but faced setbacks due to a ligament injury. He’s ready to play a crucial role in the team’s defense now.
• #8 Weston McKennie: Though primarily a midfielder, he’s also made a mark at forward for Juventus, contributing five goals and five assists in Serie A.
• #7 Gio Reyna: After six seasons with Borussia Dortmund, he transitioned to a substitution role at Borussia Mönchengladbach. A fun fact: his father, Claudio Reyna, was part of the team that reached the quarterfinals in 2002.
• #17 Malik Tillman: He’s thoroughly established himself at Bayer Leverkusen, racking up six goals in the Bundesliga.
• #11 Brenden Aaronson: He’s taken significant strides at Leeds United this year, scoring four goals and leading the team in assists.
• #14 Sebastian Berhalter: The son of former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, he led Vancouver Whitecaps FC to multiple Canadian Cup titles.
• #15 Cristian Roldan: Another name to remember, he was instrumental in Seattle Sounders FC’s League’s Cup victory last year.
• #18 Max Alfsten: He played a pivotal role for Columbus Crew and had a solid showing in the 2025 Gold Cup.
• #13 Tim Ream: As an experienced defender and captain with 82 caps, he provides stability for the team.
• #16 Alex Freeman: A breakout star from 2025, he now plays for Villarreal CF after scoring in recent friendlies.
• #12 Miles Robinson: Last season, he was crucial for FC Cincinnati’s near-top placement in MLS.
• #2 Sergino Dest: After a long recovery from injury, he played a versatile role for PSV Eindhoven.
• #3 Chris Richards: A regular starter for Crystal Palace, he played a significant part in keeping the club safe from relegation.
• #5 Anthony Robinson: Now completing his fifth season with Fulham FC, he remains a strong player on the team.
• #23 Joe Scully: A consistent presence for Borussia Mönchengladbach, having appeared in 32 games.
• #6 Auston Trusty: He was part of Celtic FC’s championship-winning team in the Scottish Premiership.
• #22 Mark Mackenzie: A reliable player finishing mid-table in French Ligue 1.
• #24 Matt Freeze: The New York City FC player and Harvard alum is in the running to be a starter for the tournament.
• #1 Matt Turner: He brings World Cup experience and currently defends the goal for the New England Revolution.
• #25 Chris Brady: Another promising talent, he is expected to be a third choice goalkeeper for the World Cup.