Frank Lampard Delivers Crucial World Cup Roster Guidance to USMNT Star Haji Wright

For Haji Wright to secure his place as a crucial player for the U.S. men's national team heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, his current manager Frank Lampard at Coventry City has clear guidance: "Continue your current trajectory."

The 27-year-old striker has made an impressive beginning to the 2025–26 EFL Championship season, netting five goals across six appearances while competing for the Golden Boot alongside fellow USMNT forward Josh Sargent.

Despite injuries and selection decisions that kept Wright away from recent American exhibitions against South Korea and Japan, and limited him to just one appearance during the Concacaf Gold Cup, he remains a viable option, with his most recent substantial national team action being a 25-minute performance in June's defeat to Turkey.

Overall, he has recorded five goals in 17 international appearances for the USMNT. Frank Lampard spoke with Sports Illustrated about Wright and provided crucial guidance as the 2026 tournament approaches.

"I certainly hope he does [earn a starting role], given his dedication to that goal and his desire to represent his nation at the World Cup and the significance that holds for him. He's completely transparent about those aspirations, which is appropriate," Lampard shared with Sports Illustrated.

"It's definitely not my place to select the American roster or starting eleven, with complete respect for Mauricio and his perspective.

"What [Haji Wright] must do is maintain the level he's shown at the season's start and sustain that performance, because we now have a Haji who is in excellent physical shape, mentally positive, and eager and prepared to compete."

Under Lampard's guidance at Coventry, Wright has modified his positioning this campaign, embracing a more central function as a classic No. 9.

This was a strategic positional adjustment by Lampard, and thus far, it has benefited the American forward, who must continue finding the net to stay competitive for Pochettino's roster as the home World Cup approaches.

"We focus on game scenarios where he excels, positioning him to optimize his strengths, and the remainder depends on his execution," Lampard concluded. "Haji possesses significant ability, and I believe if he maintains this standard of play, he will present a compelling case for inclusion in that American squad."