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The U.S. men's national team will announce its official 26-man World Cup squad on May 26 and begin World Cup competition just two weeks after that — two deadlines closing in fast despite the numerous questions the Stars and Stripes still need to resolve.
The co-host opens the tournament on home soil on June 12, facing Paraguay first in Group D. Before that, however, manager Mauricio Pochettino and his side have two friendly matches against Senegal and Germany at the end of the month to sharpen things up and help the finalized squad gel. It will also serve as a chance for the Americans to bounce back after their last outings: losses to both Belgium and Portugal in March.
Here, Sports Illustrated breaks down four pressing questions the USMNT must address before the World Cup.
1. How Involved Should Christian Pulisic Be?
Christian Pulisic is the face of the USMNT, and while he claims much of the scrutiny and criticism doesn't reach him, he will face the most intense spotlight of his career this summer. The demands on and off the field will be unlike anything experienced by players outside of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with every casual American sports fan watching his every move. It's simply the burden he carries as one of the greatest U.S. players in history.
Yet, the 27-year-old arrives at the World Cup in the worst form of his career. He hasn't found the net for the U.S. since a 4–2 victory over Jamaica in the Concacaf Nations League on Nov. 18, 2024, and has gone scoreless in his last 18 appearances for AC Milan, stretching back to 2025. After a strong start to the 2025-26 Serie A campaign, he has failed to make a meaningful impact since the new year began.
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Poor form wouldn't raise eyebrows for many U.S. players, but this is Pulisic. He's someone who, when at his best, can be the difference between an early group stage exit and a stunning run to the semifinals. That's the kind of game-changer he has the potential to be.
So, given all those factors, what does his tournament look like? Is it reasonable to expect him to shake off a months-long slump on football's grandest stage? Should he be handed a prominent starting role, as he has held in the past for the Americans? If he lines up at left midfield or on the wing, as he frequently has with the USMNT, he will likely compete for minutes with Bayer Leverkusen's Malik Tillman or Leeds United's Brenden Aaronson. Alternatively, at striker, he would partner Folarin Balogun in a front two — a role he has struggled with for the USMNT but has previously thrived in at Milan.
There is certainly a scenario where the pressure and attention energizes Pulisic, but at this stage, serious questions remain about his form and whether he is truly the best option for Pochettino's first-choice lineup.
2. Who Should Start Between the Sticks?
One of the toughest calls Pochettino and his staff face is the goalkeeping position. Barring a dramatic shift, the top two candidates are New York City FC's Matt Freese and New England Revolution's Matt Turner, though it remains uncertain who will get the nod to start.
Freese, 27, appears to hold the edge. Following Turner's underwhelming displays against Mexico and Canada in the 2025 Concacaf Nations League, Freese earned every start and impressed throughout the run to the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final, where the U.S. ultimately fell to Mexico 2–1.
That said, the 31-year-old Turner brings valuable experience, having started all four of the U.S.'s games at the 2022 World Cup. He also featured in the March window and showed glimpses of his quality with five saves in the 5–2 defeat to Belgium — his first USMNT appearance since the disappointing Nations League campaign.
Their MLS Eastern Conference numbers are closely matched as well. Freese has conceded 14 goals on 65 shots, while Turner has allowed 17 on 75. Turner has prevented more goals, however, according to Opta, with 5.0 compared to Freese's 1.8, including a nine-save performance against Inter Miami last month to keep the formidable Lionel Messi off the scoresheet.
While the NYCFC keeper likely holds the upper hand, much will be determined during the World Cup pre-camp, and both should expect to share minutes in the friendlies against Germany and Senegal.
3. Where Does Weston McKennie Fit Best?
With Pulisic struggling, Weston McKennie emerges as the most crucial player in the USMNT equation.
The 27-year-old has registered five goals and five assists across 30 Serie A appearances for Juventus this season — a personal best — and has relied on his versatility to contribute across nearly every position. In league play this season, he has featured predominantly at right midfield and center midfield, but has also operated at left back, defensive midfield, and various roles on the right flank. For the U.S. recently, he has been deployed mainly at right forward and center midfield.
Versatility is always a valuable asset at a World Cup, but getting the most out of McKennie is equally critical. Without Johnny Cardoso available, he could slot into midfield, or if the team opts for a back three, potentially as a right wingback — provided CF Villarreal's Alex Freeman moves into the three-man defensive line. Either way, Pochettino must ensure he is fully maximizing McKennie's abilities.
4. What is the USMNT's Identity?
The USMNT was once defined by physicality. It wasn't built on world-class talent or exceptional technical ability, but it would outrun and outwork any opponent, bringing a relentless edge to every match. That quality defined several memorable generations of the USMNT, including the 1994 World Cup squad on home turf.
Heading into 2026, there is an identity crisis. With the sheer volume of players Pochettino has rotated through camps over the past year, there has been little opportunity to establish a consistent style of play or formation — and, consequently, no clear benchmark for success.
Through the two upcoming friendlies, glimpses of an identity could begin to emerge. By then, Pochettino will have a clearer picture of his preferred starting lineup and tactical approach — something that can naturally evolve during the tournament, but ideally should be firmly established beforehand.
The immediate priority is making sure that identity is not defined by defensive errors. With a high-press approach in the March window, the USMNT made a series of costly mistakes at the back, contributing to the losses against Belgium and Portugal. Having not kept a clean sheet since a 2–0 win over Japan in September, ensuring defensive fragility does not become the team's defining narrative will be absolutely vital.