USMNT Stars Set to Battle for European Glory in 2025-26 Champions League

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico draws near, the 2025–26 campaign holds critical significance for players aiming to reach peak form before the global tournament.

Ten American players will be pursuing the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League crown, with the competition's league stage beginning September 16. The coveted final is scheduled for May 30 in Budapest, Hungary, occurring just 13 days prior to the USMNT's World Cup kickoff on June 12 in Los Angeles.

Mauricio Pochettino will undoubtedly monitor Champions League performances this season, as participating players seek to make strong impressions while competing for World Cup squad positions.

Here's your complete guide as a USMNT supporter following Champions League matches.

How to Watch the UEFA Champions League in the United States

Weston McKennie - Juventus

League Phase Opponents

Weston McKennie arrived at Juventus more than five years ago and has established himself as an essential squad member despite multiple coaching changes. Though absent from the September USMNT roster, he has regained a starting position with the Bianconeri under manager Igor Tudor.

This campaign, he has featured in three fixtures and recently contributed to Juventus' victory in the season's first Derby d'Italia, playing 79 minutes in an exciting 4–3 triumph over last year's UCL finalists, Inter Milan.

Despite Juventus not claiming a Champions League trophy since 1996, optimism surrounds this season due to strong early form and an intriguing striker competition between fellow Concacaf talent Jonathan David and Dušan Vlahović.

With over 20 UCL appearances to his name, McKennie aims to guide them against tough league phase adversaries, including Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

Tim Weah - Marseille

League Phase Opponents

Tim Weah enters the Champions League wearing different colors this season following his transfer to Ligue 1's Olympique Marseille, where he has already secured a more prominent role than at Juventus.

The 25-year-old has started three of Marseille's opening four Ligue 1 fixtures, primarily operating as a right back while also contributing in attacking positions.

Last campaign, the son of Liberian icon George Weah made nine UCL appearances for Juventus and netted against PSV Eindhoven.

This year begins with a challenging opener, as Marseille face Real Madrid in their initial match.

Folarin Balogun - AS Monaco

League Phase Opponents

Following his USMNT comeback, Folarin Balogun prepares to face the Champions League with AS Monaco this season. A potential starter at striker for Pochettino's USMNT, the London-born American seeks to demonstrate his abilities against elite global clubs, hoping to secure greater national team responsibilities.

The 24-year-old found the net for the U.S. in a 2–0 victory over Japan during the September international break, but remains in search of his maiden Champions League goal after three Monaco appearances in last season's competition.

While confronting Manchester City and Real Madrid represents Monaco's toughest tests, they will also meet Juventus and fellow USMNT player Weston McKennie on January 28.

Johnny Cardoso - Atlético Madrid

Johnny Cardoso completed his major transfer this summer, signing with Atlético Madrid after guiding Real Betis to the UEFA Conference League final last season.

He now competes in the Champions League as one of manager Diego Simeone's primary summer acquisitions.

Since his arrival, he has accumulated 185 minutes across three appearances.

Though omitted from the latest national team selection, he featured prominently at the Concacaf Gold Cup, reaching 20 international caps while battling for a 2026 World Cup roster spot.

The league phase will see Atlético face defending Premier League champions Liverpool, plus Arsenal and Inter Milan, among other opponents.

Sergiño Dest and Ricardo Pepi - PSV Eindhoven

American right-back Sergiño Dest and forward Ricardo Pepi will serve as crucial components for PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie and Champions League this season, as they pursue important World Cup roles.

Both have recently recovered from injuries, with Dest returning to the USMNT squad in September after missing the Concacaf Gold Cup. Meanwhile, Pepi was absent from camp but recently scored twice against NEC Nijmegen in his first start since sustaining a knee injury during last season's Champions League clash with Liverpool.

Now healthy and in form, the UCL becomes their priority, particularly against demanding opponents like Liverpool, Serie A champions Napoli, and Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich.

They will also encounter other American players during the league phase, with fixtures against Malik Tillman's Bayer Leverkusen and Johnny Cardoso's Atlético Madrid.

Malik Tillman - Bayer Leverkusen

League Phase Opponents

Malik Tillman approaches the Champions League with a new team this season after joining Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen from PSV during the summer following 16 goals in 34 matches for the Dutch side in 2024–25.

Leverkusen acquired him by triggering a $40.9 million release clause, hoping he could fill the void left by Florian Wirtz after the German 22-year-old completed his expensive move to Liverpool.

This season, Tillman has appeared in two matches and scored his inaugural Leverkusen goal in a 3–3 stalemate with Werder Bremen. He and Leverkusen will meet defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City in the league phase.

Yunus Musah - Atalanta

League Phase Opponents

Yunus Musah departed AC Milan after limited playing time but returns to the Champions League with Atalanta following a loan move shortly after the season began.

During his Milan tenure, Musah made 82 appearances and even featured in their season-opening 2–0 victory over Lecce, where fellow American and former teammate Christian Pulisic scored his first Serie A goal of the campaign.

Since joining Atalanta, the 22-year-old Musah has played only 14 minutes, making his debut in a 4–1 triumph over Lecce.

As he enters the UCL, he hopes to assist Atalanta against some of the world's finest teams, including defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, plus Chelsea and a challenge against Weah's Marseille and Timothy Chandler's Frankfurt.

Timothy Chandler - Eintracht Frankfurt

League Phase Opponents

A decade has passed since Timothy Chandler's last USMNT call-up, but the 35-year-old remains with Eintracht Frankfurt. He's unlikely to see substantial minutes after just three appearances last season and only 22 minutes this campaign, though he might feature in Europe's top club competition.

Cole Campbell - Borussia Dortmund

Cole Campbell represents the youngest American in this season's Champions League and may receive playing time as he continues developing within Borussia Dortmund's roster.

The 19-year-old right winger made his Bundesliga season debut in a 2–0 victory over Heidenheim on September 13, after being named in Dortmund's matchday squad for the campaign's first two fixtures.

He earned his Champions League debut last season with a 13-minute appearance for Dortmund against Sturm Graz, while being included in the matchday squad six times. This season, he could face McKennie as Dortmund meets Juventus, among several major challenges.