2026 US World Cup Team

When Mauricio Pochettino released his 26-man roster for the World Cup, he created as many questions as he answered. Pochettino admittedly put a premium on positional versatility, and in doing so, raised immediate questions about his tactical approach. Selecting only four central midfielders, for instance, leaves concerns about wear and tear over the course of a grueling tournament, as well as adequate injury cover. However, of all the lingering questions, perhaps the biggest is: Who will start when the US opens the tournament against Paraguay?

While the personnel on the roster seem tailored to a three-center-back system, Pochettino’s preferred formation remains a 4-2-3-1, featuring the flexibility to shift one of his defenders into a more advanced role during attacks. With that framework in mind, here is a look at who should feature in the USMNT starting XI.

Goalkeeper

Matt Freese: One thing is for certain: the keeper will be named Matt. If we take hints from traditional squad numbers, Matt Turner (#1) would be the starter. However, that logic would also make Captain Tim Ream the backup fullback—and that certainly isn't happening. Both Turner and Freese are regular MLS starters enjoying consistent seasons, but Freese gets the nod here. He started the last friendly against Germany, held his own against a potent attack, and is coming off a solid Gold Cup campaign. While he may be a slight notch below Turner as a pure shot-stopper, his superior ability with the ball at his feet is a skill highly valued by Pochettino.

Defenders

Center Back: Tim Ream: The team captain is an undeniable starter. Although he has naturally lost a step at age 38, Ream is a composed, veteran international campaigner. He remains technically gifted and a highly reliable left-footed passer out of the back.

Center Back: Chris Richards: While Mark McKenzie and Miles Robinson have partnered with Ream in recent friendlies, Richards is currently dealing with an ankle injury that put his World Cup availability in doubt. When healthy, however, Richards is arguably the most athletic right-footed center-back on the roster. Pairing his athleticism with Ream creates much-needed defensive balance. Furthermore, his high-leverage experience in the Premier League and Europa Conference League with Crystal Palace makes him battle-tested.

Left Back: Antonee Robinson: The Fulham man has made the left-back position his own since debuting for the national team in 2018. A standout tournament for "Jedi" could very well facilitate a high-profile move to a Champions League club.

Right Back: Alex Freeman: The son of a Pro Bowl, Super Bowl-winning wide receiver, Freeman earned his first USMNT cap in 2025 at just 20 years and 303 days old. Since then, he has rapidly developed into a mainstay at right-back under Pochettino.

Midfielders

Defensive Midfielder: Tyler Adams: A cornerstone in the midfield since his debut, Adams is typically one of the first names on the team sheet—provided he is healthy. He will reprise his vital role as the destroyer in Pochettino's double pivot system.

Central Midfielder: Weston McKennie: The Juventus man partnered with Adams in the last World Cup and parlayed a strong season into a long-term extension with the Bianconeri. While there is temptation to deploy him in a more advanced role, the roster has a dearth of players possessing McKennie’s specific box-to-box skill set, making him indispensable deeper in the midfield. He will serve as one of the team's primary distributors.

Attacking Midfielder: Malik Tillman: Pochettino has inverted Tillman and McKennie at times and may continue to experiment during the Cup. At the club level, McKennie operates box-to-box while Tillman thrives as a true attacker. There is strong logic in letting players execute the roles they perform weekly for their clubs, especially when sharing the pitch. The alternative is Brenden Aaronson, who offers relentless energy and creativity but is typically best utilized as an impact substitute.

Forwards

Left Winger: Christian Pulisic: "Captain America" remains the most recognized player on the roster. Even if he hasn't entirely replicated the meteoric promise of his early Dortmund days, he is undeniably the attacking leader and talisman of this squad.

Right Winger: Timothy Weah: Weah has experienced bouts of inconsistency, highlighted by his costly red card against Panama in the 2024 Copa America. While Sergiño Dest has occasionally been preferred recently for his defensive cover and distribution, Weah has featured regularly this season as a wing-back and offers a more direct, dynamic threat when taking on defenders.

Striker: Folarin Balogun: Striker remains perhaps the most concerning position on the roster, given the paramount value of a consistent goalscorer at the international level. The USMNT has lacked a truly prolific #9 since the days of Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, and Landon Donovan. Born in New York to Nigerian parents and raised in London, the Arsenal academy product committed to the US in 2023 after a breakout loan spell at Reims. A tally of 9 goals in 27 caps is hardly prolific, but Balogun's fluid style of play gives him a distinct tactical advantage over the other strikers vying for the starting role.

Ultimately, Mauricio Pochettino faces a delicate balancing act as he navigates this World Cup campaign with the United States. This projected starting XI blends the rugged, battle-tested experience of veterans like Tim Ream and Tyler Adams with the dynamic attacking upside of Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman, and Folarin Balogun.

While questions surrounding pure goal-scoring depth and midfield wear-and-tear will undoubtedly persist throughout the tournament, this lineup provides a sturdy foundation built on athletic versatility and tactical discipline. If this core group can remain healthy and seamlessly execute Pochettino’s fluid 4-2-3-1 system, they possess the requisite talent to not only secure a vital result in their crucial opener against Paraguay but to potentially script a deep, memorable run on the world's biggest stage.