The constructing of a World Cup roster

Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

With the September FIFA window now in the rearview mirror, and only three more windows left before final rosters are set in late May or early June 2026, Mauricio Pochettino has drawn a clear line.

He’s stated that September’s camp was the “last camp to have the possibility for new faces.”

If we take him at his word, the nearly 70 players who’ve been called across six camps and the Gold Cup will form the pool from which he selects the 2026 World Cup squad.

Of the 60 players named to the 2025 Gold Cup provisional roster, only five, Maxi Dietz, Richie Ledezma, Tim Tillman, Caleb Wiley, and Griffin Yow, have yet to appear on a #USMNT roster under Pochettino.

Comparing the 2025 Nations League provisional roster to the Gold Cup list reveals over a dozen different players, raising the question: are these minor differences simply the edges of the player pool Pochettino intends to draw from?

Goalkeepers 

Nine goalkeepers have been called into Pochettino’s camps, but it’s clear that Matt Freese is his first-choice right now, with Matt Turner likely the No. 2 as we sit just 10 months from the World Cup.

• Chris Brady
• Drake Callender
• Roman Celentano
• Matt Freese
• Ethan Horvath
• Jonathan Klinsmann
• Diego Kochen
• Patrick Schulte
• Zack Steffen
• Matt Turner
  

Fullbacks

Outside of Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson, the USMNT’s fullback depth remains a concern. Pochettino appears high on MLS defenders Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten, while Caleb Wiley, though yet to feature in a USMNT camp but named to recent provisional rosters, could still be on his depth chart.

• Max Arfsten
• Sergino Dest
• Alex Freeman
• Marlon Fossey
• DeJuan Jones
• Kristoffer Lund
• Shaquell Moore
• Antonee Robinson
• Joe Scally
• John Tolkin
  

Centerbacks

Center back remains another position with uncertain depth. Chris Richards and the veteran Tim Ream look like locks for now, leaving three spots up for grabs. If Pochettino opts for a back three, that tactical shift could influence which players ultimately make the cut. Notably, Jackson Ragen and Maxi Dietz are the only center backs from the recent provisional rosters who haven’t been called into a USMNT camp.

• Noahkai Banks
• Tristan Blackmon
• George Campbell
• Cameron Carter-Vickers
• Mark McKenzie
• Tim Ream
• Chris Richards
• Miles Robinson
• Auston Trusty
• Walker Zimmerman
  

Central Midfielders

The central midfield position is the deepest for the #USMNT, with many players in the pool capable of also playing fullback, center back, or winger. Although Richie Ledezma has primarily played as a right back and right wing-back for his current club and for PSV last season, USMNT coaches view him primarily as a midfielder. This likely explains why he hasn’t yet been called into a USMNT camp.

• Tyler Adams
• Sebastian Berhalter
• Gianluca Busio
• Johnny Cardoso
• Ben Cremaschi
• Luca de la Torre
• Emeka Eneli
• Jack McGlynn
• Weston McKennie
• Aidan Morris
• Yunus Musah
• Tanner Tessmann
• Sean Zawadzki
  

Attacking Midfielders

There are several players at this position who could add real quality and play pivotal roles for the #USMNT at next summer’s World Cup. Gio Reyna remains a major question mark, but his talent is undeniable. With his recent club change, there’s hope he can return to the high level of form we’ve seen from him in the past.

• Brenden Aaronson
• Paxten Aaronson
• Brian Gutiérrez
• Djordje Mihailovic
• Matko Miljevic
• Gio Reyna
• Malik Tillman
  

Wingers

The winger position remains thin for the #USMNT, though several players there can also slot in as attacking midfielders, strikers, or even fullback. Notably, two young wingers, Cole Campbell and Griffin Yow, appeared on provisional rosters but have yet to be called into any Pochettino camp.

• Cade Cowell
• Diego Luna
• Christian Pulisic
• Quinn Sullivan
• Indiana Vassilev
• Tim Weah
• Haji Wright
• Alejandro Zendejas
  

Strikers

Another area of concern for the USMNT is striker depth. While the top options have all produced well for their clubs when healthy, injuries have kept the pool thin. If everyone is fit, the primary competition for the starting role likely comes down to three players: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Josh Sargent. Haji Wright and Tim Weah can also step in as center-forward options if needed.

• Patrick Agyemang
• Folarin Balogun
• Damion Downs
• Jesus Ferreira
• Ricardo Pepi
• Josh Sargent
• Brandon Vazquez
• Brian White
  

Conclusion

It’s tough to read Pochettino’s mindset right now. Many expect fewer MLS players to be called for the October window, partly because the league continues through FIFA dates and the regular season ends mid-October.

Most World Cup rosters largely select themselves, with only a few surprising omissions, think of the 1994 squad, which left out several players many felt deserved a spot.

But with Pochettino still showing a shaky grasp of the USMNT player pool, this cycle could produce more notable snubs than ever, though there’s still time for him to get it right.