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The 2026 World Cup squad announcement is right around the corner. U.S. men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino already has his 55-man preliminary player pool and will reveal the final 26-man roster on Tuesday evening at a ceremony in New York City.
Players included in the preliminary pool who don't make the final cut will begin receiving word over the weekend, while Pochettino has previously indicated he won't make as much effort to reach out to those who miss the squad but weren't part of the 55-man preliminary list.
When it comes to the attacking positions, the picture appears relatively straightforward.
Considering the current roster situation, player form, injury concerns, positional needs, and the still-undetermined formation between a 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2, the striker pool should be fairly limited, with those likely to be selected probably already having a good sense of where they stand.
Here, Sports Illustrated examines the five striker candidates vying for a spot alongside AC Milan and USMNT star Christian Pulisic, who should be considered a certainty despite not finding the net in 2026 for club or country.
5. Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps)
It would be a major surprise for Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White to earn a roster spot. Nevertheless, he's currently the hottest USMNT-capped striker in MLS, tallying eight goals across 13 appearances this season. In 2025, he also bagged 24 goals and chipped in three assists, becoming Vancouver's all-time top scorer and finishing as the leading U.S. player in the MLS Golden Boot standings, while guiding his club to both the Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS Cup final.
A high-energy pressing forward with exceptional finishing and link-up play, White made an impression across eight caps with the USMNT since his debut call-up for the March 2025 Concacaf Nations League finals. Despite his strong form, however, he has remained on the fringes of the squad.
4. Julian Hall (Red Bull New York)
If White is the hottest USMNT-capped striker on the fringes of the squad, Julian Hall is the most in-form USMNT-eligible player who has yet to receive a senior national team call-up. The 18-year-old, already in his fourth MLS campaign with Red Bull New York, has been one of the league's biggest stories this season, netting nine goals and contributing two assists in 14 games under manager and former USMNT midfield stalwart Michael Bradley.
Hall, who is also being actively pursued by Poland and wears his mother's family name "Zakrzewski" on the back of his shirt, has proven himself as a sharp and elusive off-ball mover capable of converting difficult chances. Combined with his speed, he's a potential selection—though handing a young, uncapped striker the goalscoring burden for a host nation would be a daring decision.
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3. Haji Wright (Coventry City)
There's a significant step up from White and Hall to the top three striker options, starting with Haji Wright. The 28-year-old played a pivotal role in guiding Coventry City back to the Premier League for the first time since 2000–01, as the club claimed the English Championship title with 95 points, bolstered by Wright's 17 goals in 40 league outings.
Primarily deployed as an out-and-out striker, he also brings flexibility as a potential wide option, which is often viewed as a key asset when assembling a World Cup squad.
His tally of seven goals in 20 USMNT appearances isn't particularly impressive, but his playing style, club-level form, consistent call-ups under Pochettino, and experience from the 2022 World Cup should secure him a place on the roster as the third-choice striker.
2. Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven)
Ricardo Pepi suffered a broken arm midway through PSV Eindhoven's campaign, yet he missed only nine matches before making his return. Throughout the ordeal, he continued to find the net with ease, ultimately finishing with an impressive 19 goals and two assists in just 1,706 minutes across all competitions.
While the former FC Dallas forward was left out of the 2022 World Cup squad, he has put himself in a position to avoid disappointment this time around.
Already recognized as a speedy striker with strong hold-up play, sharp dribbling in tight areas, and clever movement off the ball, Pepi has continued to develop throughout the 2025–26 season. Additionally, his familiarity with potential starting right back Sergiño Dest from their time as club teammates gives him an edge as a potentially dangerous option this summer.
1. Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco)
No player is more of a certainty for the 2026 World Cup USMNT roster than AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, who has featured in all eight of the national team's most recent matches, contributing three goals during that stretch, including one against Group D rivals Australia in a 2–1 victory back in October.
This season, Balogun has established himself as one of the finest young attackers in Europe. The 24-year-old has registered 19 goals and five assists across 43 appearances in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the UEFA Champions League.
Renowned for his physicality and explosive pace in behind, Balogun is adaptable across multiple systems, capable of partnering Pulisic or Pepi in a front two or leading the line on his own. His defensive work rate is also a notable strength, particularly within Pochettino's setup, which places heavy demands on attackers to press and track back.
He is the standout option for the USMNT, providing a genuine top striker profile the country hasn't had before.