The United States has officially announced its 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sparking some controversy regarding player selections. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino included midfielders Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter, along with winger Alejandro Zendejas, while midfielders Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann were notably omitted.

Roster Decisions and Controversy

Defender Sergiño Dest, midfielder Tyler Adams, and forward Haji Wright were added to the squad after recovering from injuries that kept them out of the March friendlies. Zendejas, who missed the March roster due to a knee injury sustained last fall, has now made the final cut. The roster announcement took place at the South Street Seaport's Pier 17, with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge serving as a backdrop.

Pochettino's Stance on Omissions

When questioned about the players left off the roster, Pochettino expressed his discontent with the focus on omissions, labeling it "disrespectful" to those who earned their place in the squad. "I think we cannot talk about the players that are not in the roster, because I think it's very disrespectful to the player that made the roster," he stated. He emphasized that the selection process was a result of extensive scouting over the past 18 months, aimed at assembling a competitive team.

Pochettino acknowledged the challenges of making roster decisions, noting that including one player often leads to debates about others. "That was my decision to pick that 26 and now we need to respect it," he added. He believes the selected players are the right fit to compete at the highest level.

Key Inclusions

Among the highlighted players is Gio Reyna, the son of former U.S. captain Claudio Reyna. Despite limited playing time with Borussia Mönchengladbach this season, Reyna is regarded by Pochettino as a "special player." Sebastian Berhalter, the son of the former coach, also made the roster after debuting for the national team last June and establishing himself as a key corner-kick taker.

As the team prepares for the World Cup, Pochettino's focus remains on fostering a competitive spirit among the selected players, ensuring they are ready to face the world's best teams.