USMNT 2026 Roster: Surprises and Star Power Revealed

The official roster for the 2026 USMNT FIFA World Cup squad was unveiled on Tuesday in Manhattan. Manager Mauricio Pochettino's final 26-man selection for the tournament, which the United States will host, has already generated discussion. Former USMNT standout Clint Dempsey commented on the roster, acknowledging it includes "definitely some surprises" and appears "defensive-heavy," especially at the right-back position.

Dempsey highlighted key players like Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun, emphasizing the need for their significant contributions. He also expressed sympathy for overlooked players like Diego Luna and Tanner Tessman, while commending talents such as Alex Zendejas for his form and Gio Reyna for his consistent national team production rate.

The squad is set to begin Group D play on June 12 in Los Angeles against Paraguay. Dempsey stressed the importance of a fast start to energize the fanbase, drawing parallels to the support seen in recent Olympic events. He believes a strong connection with fans can create a crucial "12th man" advantage.

Separately, Dempsey is involved with Abbott and Real Madrid's "Abbott Dream Team" program, which offers young players a development experience in Madrid, including training with Real Madrid coaches and attending matches. Tryouts for the program have been held in Miami, Washington D.C., and Houston, with more scheduled in Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.