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U.S. men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino is running out of time to finalize his World Cup plans, with the deadline to announce the 26-man squad representing the United States this summer fast approaching.
While FIFA's official roster submission deadline is June 1, U.S. Soccer will reveal its squad on May 26 at a ceremony in New York City. The core group will be set at that point, with only injury-related substitutions permitted up until the June 12 World Cup opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
Here, Sports Illustrated breaks down where USMNT players currently stand — whether they're certain starters, fighting for a spot, or in danger of being left behind.
The Starters and Roster Locks
Genuine starting lineup certainties are hard to come by in the USMNT setup, given that Pochettino has fielded more than 60 players since taking the helm. Nevertheless, a handful of names are all but guaranteed to be included.
Folarin Balogun, who has racked up 19 goals and five assists across all competitions with AS Monaco this season, should be the most confident player in the starting XI conversation. Weston McKennie's adaptability and consistent form at Juventus also make him a strong contender. Defensively, Crystal Palace center back Chris Richards stands as the most secure option at the back.
Beyond those names, uncertainty lingers throughout the starting lineup. Rounding out the confirmed roster spots are goalkeepers Matt Freese (New York City FC) and Matt Turner (New England Revolution), midfielders Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth) and Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), striker Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), and left back Antonee Robinson (Fulham).
There is, however, a name that isn't in the locks, but could play a key role...
The Hopeful Bubble: Is Christian Pulisic Assured?
Christian Pulisic. The player featured on the cover of all 48 Sports Illustrated World Cup editions and widely regarded as the face of American soccer, is considered a near-certain roster inclusion more because of his reputation and history than his current performances. Judged purely on recent form, his place would be far from guaranteed.
The 27-year-old AC Milan forward is enduring the most difficult stretch of his professional career, managing just one assist in 2026 across club and international duty. He has been largely peripheral to AC Milan's bright moments this season, despite continuing to receive regular playing time under manager Massimiliano Allegri.
"I'm just going to try to live in the moment and enjoy it a bit more," Pulisic told Sports Illustrated. "I was probably difficult to talk to during the whole experience. I was so locked in, just getting ready, [awestruck] like 'This is the World Cup.' It was so big. I just want to, in some ways, be a bit more relaxed and try to enjoy the experience more this time."
While he will almost certainly make the squad, any expectation placed on Pulisic is, at best, wishful thinking.
Beyond the headline name, the hopeful bubble also includes fullbacks Alex Freeman (CF Villarreal) and Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven), center backs Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati) and Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), midfielders Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders) and Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), and striker Haji Wright (Coventry City FC).
Among those names, Dest and Berhalter stand out most prominently. Dest, a former FC Barcelona fullback, has impressed as an attacking fullback since returning from a prolonged injury layoff. Meanwhile, Berhalter has been one of MLS's standout performers, contributing six goals — many from distance — and seven assists, aided by his precise set-piece delivery.
For Wright, earning minutes may prove difficult given the goalscoring output of Balogun and Pepi. That said, his tally of 17 EFL Championship goals — helping Coventry City claim the title and earn Premier League promotion — is impossible to overlook.
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The Less Hopeful Bubble
Players in this tier wouldn't be surprising inclusions on the final roster, but they can't yet feel fully secure in their positions. Their families might want to hold off on booking accommodation in World Cup host cities for now.
This category includes midfielders Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) and Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough), along with winger Tim Weah (Marseille). Luna missed the March camp through injury but has been dynamic and creative since returning to RSL, notching four goals and three assists while displaying his trademark dribbling ability. Morris, meanwhile, featured in 37 matches as Middlesbrough reached the EFL Championship play-off semifinals.
Weah is arguably the closest to a lock in this group, thanks to his positional flexibility and 28 Ligue 1 appearances this season. However, a current injury is expected to keep him sidelined until late May, potentially limiting his readiness for the tournament. Fellow Ligue 1 midfielder Tanner Tessmann also falls into this bracket, having dealt with a muscle injury of his own.
One of the few Americans active in the Premier League, Brenden Aaronson rounds out this tier. He hasn't consistently shone in a USMNT shirt, but his four goals and five assists in Premier League action with Leeds United this season keep him in the conversation.
It's a Toss-Up
Pochettino's wide-ranging player usage during his tenure leaves several roster spots genuinely up for grabs. Gio Reyna, frequently cited as the most gifted player in the pool, likely headlines this section.
The 23-year-old has accumulated just 487 minutes with Borussia Mönchengladbach this season and only recently netted his first goal of the campaign — a consolation effort — in a 3-1 defeat to Augsburg on May 9.
While Reyna's midfield candidacy tops this group, it also includes defenders Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), and Auston Trusty (Celtic FC).
The third goalkeeper spot also falls into this category. Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew) appears the most likely candidate, though Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati) and Chris Brady (Chicago Fire) could also earn a call-up without raising many eyebrows.
In reality, much of the roster remains genuinely uncertain, particularly given that with 26 spots available, many squads rarely rely on players beyond the 18th name on the list.
Likely Missing Out
Given the depth of talent available, some capable players will inevitably be left out.
Teenage midfielder Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake) and 19-year-old attacker Julian Hall (Red Bull New York) are among those expected to miss the cut, along with midfielder Jack McGlynn, center back Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps), and attackers Alex Zendejas (Club América) and Brian White (Vancouver Whitecaps).