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U.S. men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino is set to unveil his official 26-man World Cup roster next week, meaning the Argentine tactician is currently combing through his most dependable players and carefully evaluating each one.
Having called up more than 80 players to international camps since taking charge of the USMNT back in 2024, Pochettino's assessment is sure to be thorough, and it must be finalized by May 26 when the federation hosts a live roster reveal event in New York City.
Here are three potential game-changers Pochettino cannot overlook when finalizing his World Cup selections.
Julian Hall
The 18-year-old attacker may have yet to earn a single USMNT cap—and may even be pursued by Poland given his American-Polish dual nationality—but that doesn't mean he should be dismissed by Pochettino.
He is truly a rising star, having enjoyed a breakout season in MLS with New York Red Bulls. His natural goal-scoring instinct and youthful pace have been on full display, propelling him to nine goals and two assists through the first 14 matches of the campaign, placing him joint-fourth in the Golden Boot standings, just behind the formidable Lionel Messi of Inter Miami, who leads with 12 goals.
Hall is also rewriting the record books. Last week, he became the youngest player in MLS history at 18 years and 50 days to register a hat trick, steering his side to a thrilling 3–2 victory over Columbus Crew. He surpassed the previous record held by current USMNT striker Ricardo Pepi, who netted an MLS hat trick at 18 years and 196 days old, further demonstrating Hall's readiness for the international stage.
Pochettino may well leave the teenage sensation out of his plans, but that doesn't mean he isn't worth serious consideration.
Auston Trusty
Auston Trusty is a far more realistic candidate for a World Cup berth this summer, boasting six caps at the senior U.S. level; however, his place is far from guaranteed, and Pochettino could easily overlook him given the depth of center backs available. That would be a significant error, though.
The center back has been a defensive cornerstone for Scottish club Celtic and is hitting top form at just the right moment, helping his side complete a remarkable Scottish Premiership title charge with a dramatic final-day 3–1 victory over Hearts on Saturday.
He also delivered an encouraging performance for the U.S. in its March friendly against Portugal, partnering with first-choice starter Chris Richards in the back four. Trusty's energetic, dynamic approach complemented Richards' trademark composure and assurance effectively.
The 27-year-old is also an important option given the recent inconsistency of USMNT veteran center back Tim Ream, who is 38 years old and showing his age, as well as Mark McKenzie, who has at times struggled to adapt to the demands of Pochettino's fluid defensive setup.
Jack McGlynn
The 22-year-old midfielder is very much a fringe candidate, sitting on the periphery of most USMNT discussions; however, he warrants a closer look from Pochettino.
Jack McGlynn has senior-level experience, contributing two goals and one assist across 13 caps. He played a meaningful role in the U.S.'s run to the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup final and also featured during the September international window. He has not appeared since, however, having been sidelined for the remainder of the 2025 season in October with a foot injury and left out of Pochettino's most recent squad announcement.
McGlynn has been in outstanding form for Houston Dynamo since returning from a leg injury last month. He was particularly impressive last week, scoring twice in a commanding 4–1 win over powerhouse LAFC, a performance that surely caught the attention of USMNT first assistant Jesús Pérez, who was present on a scouting assignment. Hopefully, Pérez makes sure McGlynn is not so easily overlooked.