Gregg Berhalter Speaks Out on USMNT's 2026 World Cup Squad and His Son's Surprising Call-Up

At the previous World Cup, staged in Qatar in 2022, Gregg Berhalter was at the helm of the U.S. men's national team, guiding them to a round of 16 exit. This time around, Berhalter's role is simply that of a proud father and club manager.

The current Chicago Fire manager will be watching from the stands rather than coaching the sidelines at the 2026 World Cup next month, rooting for his 25-year-old son, Sebastian, as he represents the Stars and Stripes in his first-ever tournament appearance.

"The whole family is absolutely thrilled," says Berhalter, who also featured in two World Cups for the USMNT himself (2002, 2006). "It's amazing to see all the dedication pay off. In 2022, [Sebastian] was there as a spectator, watching from the crowd. Three and a half years later, he's part of the squad, and it's been a tremendous journey for him."

Berhalter will also be supporting Chicago Fire standout goalkeeper Chris Brady, as the 22-year-old similarly makes his World Cup debut. Sebastian, of the Vancouver Whitecaps, and Brady account for two of eight MLS players on the USMNT roster, and two of 13 who spent time developing within an MLS youth academy.

"This year, we witnessed a whole new level from [Brady]. He elevated his game significantly, and he's been rewarded with a World Cup roster spot," Berhalter adds. "He's been performing exceptionally well for us, and it's wonderful to see a young goalkeeper get this kind of opportunity."

Trusting and nurturing younger players at soccer's most prestigious level was always a cornerstone of Berhalter's philosophy during his time leading the national team across two separate stints (2018–23 and 2023–24.)

Four years ago, he included the likes of a 24-year-old Christian Pulisic, 24-year-old Weston McKennie and 23-year-old Tyler Adams in his World Cup squad. Now, the USMNT's "Golden Generation" carries veteran experience on soccer's biggest stage, which will prove vital to the team's ambitions of a deep run on home turf this summer.

"They're grown men now," Berhalter says. "One thing I distinctly recall from the last World Cup was the shortage of experience. We only had one player on the roster [DeAndre Yedlin] who had previously been to a World Cup, and now these players carry that experience within them. 13 of them are returning World Cup players, so they have the knowledge and the experience to guide the rest of the group.

"It's a truly exciting roster, and the combination of age and experience is going to be a decisive factor in our success at this World Cup."

Berhalter Reacts to Pochettino's Roster Selection, Email Scandal

Current USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino, who took charge in Sept. 2024, revealed his official 26-player World Cup roster on Tuesday, featuring a few notable absences. Pochettino named just four true central midfielders, including Sebastian, compared to five center backs and five fullbacks. Consequently, key U.S. midfielders Tanner Tessmann, Diego Luna and Aidan Morris were all cut from the final roster, prompting a number of questions.

"There are a couple of players you might have expected to be in the roster who didn't make it," Berhalter says of Pochettino's selections. "Maybe two or three either way, but to me, the roster was—I don't want to use the word 'safe'—but it was somewhat predictable based on what the coach had been doing over the last six months.

"You can see the methodology behind how he was trying to build the team and ultimately select the players for the World Cup."

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Pochettino drew criticism after it emerged that the Argentine coach had opted to email players who were cut from the squad, rather than calling them personally to break the difficult news.

"That is a personal decision the coach makes, and he has his reasoning for handling it that way, just as other coaches have their reasoning for doing it differently," Berhalter says on the subject. "It ultimately comes down to what he feels most comfortable with."

The USMNT have two warm-up friendlies scheduled before their World Cup campaign kicks off in two weeks, taking on Senegal on Sunday in Charlotte and Germany on June 6 in Chicago at the Chicago Fire's home ground.