The World Cup rosters are now official (barring injury and, besides the United States, three different national teams at this year's World Cup have former collegiate soccer players on their roster. It's the second time we've had three such rosters and the 15 ex collegians is the most ever. It's also 6th straight WC with ex college players on a foreign national team and the 9th WC overall. 2026 Joe Bell New Zealand Virginia Moise Bombito Canada New Hampshire (via Iowa Western JC) Michael Boxall New Zealand UC Santa Barbara Tajon Buchanan Canada Syracuse Francis De Vries New Zealand St. Francis (PA) Derrick Etienne Haiti Virginia Alistair Johnston Canada Wake Forest (via St. John's) Duke Lacroix Haiti Penn Cyle Larin Canada Connecticut Richie Laryea Canada Akron Tani Oluwaseyi Canada St. John’s Frantzdy Pierrot Haiti Coastal Carolina Jesse Randall New Zealand Northern Kentucky Dayne St. Clair Canada Maryland Joel Waterman Canada Trinity Western (U Sports)
Here are the prior players. 1982 Armando Betancourt Honduras Indiana 1994 Michael Emenalo Nigeria Boston University 1998 Dean Sewell Jamaica Southern New Hampshire David Weir Scotland Evansville Andy Williams Jamaica Rhode Island 2006 Shaka Hislop Trinidad Howard Kelvin Jack Trinidad Yavapai JC Avery John Trinidad American (via Yavapai JC) Stern John Trinidad Mercer JC Brent Sancho Trinidad St. John’s (via Essex JC) Evans Wise Trinidad Mercer JC 2010 Andy Barron New Zealand William Carey Andy Boyens New Zealand New Mexico Tim Brown New Zealand Cincinnati Aaron Capham New Zealand Louisville (via St. Francis-PA) Simon Elliott New Zealand Stanford Roger Espinoza Honduras Ohio State (via Yavapai JC) Tony Lochhead New Zealand UC Santa Barbara Ryan Nelsen New Zealand Stanford (via Greensboro College) Ramon Nunez Honduras Southern Methodist 2014 Steve Beitashour Iran San Diego State Roger Espinoza Honduras Ohio State (via Yavapai JC) Vedad Ibisevic Bosnia Saint Louis 2018 Rodney Wallace Costa Rica Maryland Francisco Calvo Costa Rica San Jacinto JC 2022 Tajon Buchanan Canada Syracuse Francisco Calvo Costa Rica San Jacinto JC Alistair Johnston Canada Wake Forest (via St. John’s) Mark-Anthony Kaye Canada York (U-Sport) Cyle Larin Canada Connecticut Richie Laryea Canada Akron Kamal Miller Canada Syracuse Dayne St. Claire Canada Maryland Joel Waterman Canada Western Trinity (U-Sport) As you can see, it's a crazy crosssection of collegiate soccer, ranging from JC, D-III, NAIA, D-II, Canadian and D-I programs of various pedigrees.
If I've missed anyone, please shout it out. (Not that you wouldn't!) In this era where college soccer is threatened and belittled, it's cool to be reminded of the level of play that can and has been found in the game at this level.
How many on US Team? I count 7. Turner, Friese, Ream, Berhalter, Roldan, Arfsten, M. Robinson. Did I miss anyone ?
Thanks everyone. I really enjoy the knowledge of the participants on this thread but even more the civility and kindness as we all strive for the most complete answer without ego. Thanks to everyone for making this thread so informational and pleasant.