Pre-match: 2026 World Cup Roster

big match...glute tightness...theres a squeaky bum time joke in there somewhere...

 

A lot of tightness happens before world cups

 

This weekend Reyna did what I wanted to see, which was to create chances off the bench. I'd like to find a way to get him into the squad.

Was switching between that one and Fulham-Bournemouth. Adams was looking pretty good, so that's encouraging. Jedi, the crosses were off, but at least the athleticism was there, so I'll take that as a win. He also seemed to cover pretty well as a LCB when they went down a man.

 

I totally agree about this.

The last 2 or 3 spots can just be "best player available" and not necessarily position dependent.

Like...........Joe Scally is one my last two on the roster. If he goes, he likely wouldn't be within our top 2 options at either LB/LWB or RB/RWB. Or RCB in a 3 back system either. So you're not taking him for a need necessarily. He just provides emergency depth all across the backline in any formation Poch wants to play. If Dest isn't right, or Antonee isn't right, then he can be in the rotation.

Reyna's a really weird one that people can discuss in circles for ad naseum. And we have for 6 years now. If he's on form and fit and playing at his best..........................he's firmly in the rotation. But when have we seen that of late?

 

I legit kind of hope we find a way to get Zavier Gozo on the roster. Like argue MLS vs Europe or not, but kid is having an insane start to the year

 

while we are all looking at in form and out of form players .... and injury status ... Poch will also pick whoever he wants based upon team chemistry and cohesion .... so I would not be surprised to see some unhappy fans when their favorite player is not included - or someone they like on the bubble .... it always happens ... every single roster selection has its surprises. And like always - injuries injuries injuries .... every player on the roster is vital for this team to have a shot at not getting grouped.

 

The provisional rosters seem to have been due today and seen some of them being released but not the US one.

 

The thing is a guy like Gozo may not be in Europe but is going to be soon. Yes he’s an MLS guy but to me that’s not really the dynamic with the young and up coming player about to go over.

 

The preliminary squads are not released publicly by FIFA. It's up to each national federation to decide whether they want to keep those names private or not. Of course, various media outlets may also leak part or all of their country's squads as well if they obtain that information somehow, but my point is that we won't necessarily get to see our prelim roster.

 

I actually prefer that our preliminary squad list not be released, so I can safely tell my kids I’m on it.

 

I hope Cardoso recovers quickly and is picked. But if that is not happening, I hope Poch picks Zendejas in his spot. Obviously not a like for like, but Zendejas is the type that could ignite the offense.

 

Zendejas has been on the fringe for Poch's entire tenure.

He's only plaed 84 minutes since the Jamaca series in November of 2024.

1 goal and 0 assists for the National Team since the 2023 Gold Cup.

 

Ankle surgery for Cardoso so I think end of his chances

Johnny Cardoso será intervenido quirúrgicamente de su tobillo derecho.

ℹ️ https://t.co/JIaTxvQ5GD

¡Recúperate pronto, Johnny! pic.twitter.com/LnUjUgkZiC

— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) May 11, 2026

🚨🇺🇸 Johnny Cardoso, set to undergo surgery as Atlético Madrid confirm and now expected to miss the World Cup. pic.twitter.com/haPX8FdqfO

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 11, 2026

But it does feel like one spot for one of Reyna, McGlynn, Morris, or Zendejas. Barring injuries of course. Though if up to me I’d give the final spot to Gozo.

 

He is making a late push:

https://en.as.com/soccer/alex-zendejas-makes-a-late-push-for-a-world-cup-spot-f202605-n/

 

Mathis Alert or Montrell Culbreath over Roldan please - build for the future!

 

The future is now! It's a home world cup! All the prior building for the future was for next month.

 

Agree. If you're not going to play your best players at a home world cup when will you? The future is the home Olympics and the next world cup where all these super young guys will be counted on as key members pushing some of the veterans out.

 

I'm preparing for a worst-case scenario.

Pulisic, Ream, and/or Adams gets injured before or during the first game.

If that happens, what do we do?

My proposal:
-----------Balogun---------
-----Reyna----Tilman----
-----Tessman--McKennie---
Jedi-McKenzie--Richards--Freeman--Dest

First off the bench - Weah.

Any other ideas?

 

True ball knowers know we’re really building for the 2038 World Cup in Saudi.

 

You're joking, but actually that's about the time when we might really be able to compete.

 

I'm guessing because that's specifically for GKs called in as injury replacements during, as opposed to before, the tournament.

 

And in 4 years, we will again replace the older players with younger players, and again and again, always building for the future.

 

I’ve said all along is 2030 is when I think our pool will peak in terms of talent level but you don’t throw away one World Cup planning for the next.

2038 is too far away to have any sense whatsoever.

 

I'm not throwing this World Cup away. We should try to win every time we get on the field.

That said, I think the 26th man on the roster should be a prospect for the future. And should be thrown in if we get desperate/injuries arise.

 

Pulisic and his glutes are getting ready to skip international duty this summer so they can be ready for Milan's season.