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The European season has come to a close. Following the Premier League's dramatic final day, the EFL Championship playoff, and several other leagues concluding this week, attention has fully shifted toward the 2026 World Cup for nations around the globe.
While certain Nordic leagues, the Canadian Premier League, and some South American competitions will continue through the World Cup, seasons have largely paused worldwide until MLS resumes action on July 16, ahead of the July 19 World Cup final.
With those campaigns all concluded, it's time to reflect before looking ahead. Here, Sports Illustrated highlights the top five USMNT players from the 2025–26 European season, all of whom appear destined for the 2026 World Cup roster if a recent leak holds true.
5. Auston Trusty (Celtic)
Auston Trusty pulled off something remarkable with Celtic this season—as surprising as Celtic claiming yet another Scottish Premiership crown can be. With the club trailing Hearts for much of the campaign heading into the final matchday, Trusty anchored a Celtic comeback from the defensive end, helping his team clinch the title on the last day with a 3–1 victory over a Hearts side that had threatened to end the Rangers and Celtic stranglehold on Scottish football's top tier.
While Trusty may not lock down a starting berth with the USMNT this summer, his 26 league appearances for Celtic ranked among the finest by any American talent this season, and at 27, a strong tournament could propel him to a higher level or toward MLS in the not-too-distant future.
After helping Celtic secure the domestic league title on the final day, he also guided the club to the Scottish FA Cup in the season's last match, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–1 win over Dunfermline Athletic. With two trophy celebrations already under his belt, he'll be well-practiced at lifting silverware—however unlikely a USMNT World Cup triumph may be.
4. Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven)
Ricardo Pepi battled injury problems throughout the campaign. Even so, he remained in contention for the Eredivisie's Golden Boot, finishing with 16 goals in 1,415 minutes, capped by a seven-goal burst across six matches to close out the season.
While Pochettino may question his defensive contributions at the international level, it's clearer than ever that Pepi possesses a natural instinct as a pure striker and is steadily finding his footing in European football.
Tied down by a contract running through 2030, it would require a substantial offer to lure him to a top-tier league—but finding the net consistently in the Dutch top flight is no simple feat, and Pepi has proven he can do it.
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3. Tyler Adams (Bournemouth)
Bournemouth have secured Europa League football, and Tyler Adams was instrumental in making that happen. Despite sitting out 12 matches due to knee and hamstring problems, he cemented his status as one of the Premier League's standout midfielders, dictating tempo and providing a composed presence in the center of the park.
He wrapped up the season with two goals and two assists, delivering consistently across his 25 Premier League appearances—putting him in an excellent position to anchor the USMNT's midfield at this summer's World Cup.
2. Folarin Balogun (Monaco)
For what feels like an eternity, U.S. soccer has been searching for a genuine superstar goalscorer at the elite level. As much as Clint Dempsey excelled at Fulham and Landon Donovan shone brightest with the LA Galaxy, neither matched the heights Folarin Balogun reached in a top-five league this season, netting 18 goals across Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League play.
The overwhelming favorite to lead the line for the USMNT at the World Cup, Balogun has the opportunity to etch his name into American soccer history with a memorable tournament.
With eight goals in 25 USMNT appearances—including a strike against World Cup opening opponents Paraguay—he is poised to become a household name this summer if he can sustain the form that produced 11 goals in Monaco's final 14 matches.
1. Weston McKennie (Juventus)
Weston McKennie entered the season already regarded as a star, but elevated himself to true superstar status with his 2025–26 campaign, taking his versatility to another dimension and shining brightly during a season of inconsistent results for The Old Lady.
The title drought persisted for Juventus this season, and they fell short of Champions League qualification, finishing sixth in Serie A and facing a Europa League schedule next term. Nevertheless, McKennie was a standout performer, contributing nine goals and eight assists across all competitions while demonstrating his adaptability by operating in 10 different positions—making him a truly unique asset in Europe's top-tier football.
His displays earlier in the campaign were impressive enough to earn him long-term security, as he signed an extension to remain with the Bianconeri through June 30 of the year he turns 31.