United States at the FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA ranking: 16
Group: D
Confederation: CONCACAF
Coach: Mauricio Pochettino
World Cup titles: 0
Best result: Third place (1930)

History

The United States reached the semi-finals at the inaugural 1930 World Cup in Uruguay, finishing third on goal difference (no third-place match was played). After several absent decades, the USMNT returned to the World Cup in 1990 and has participated at every edition since. Their modern best result came in 2002, when they beat Portugal and Mexico to reach the quarter-finals in South Korea/Japan. The USA co-hosted the tournament in 1994, reaching the round of 16. They have never won the World Cup.

Qualification

The United States qualified automatically as one of the three co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. FIFA confirmed this automatic qualification in February 2023. As host nation, the USMNT bypassed the regular CONCACAF qualifying rounds entirely and was drawn directly into Group D as a Pot 1 side.

Preparation

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino, appointed after the 2024 Copa America, led the USMNT through a busy preparation period. In March 2026, the squad trained at the new national training center near Atlanta before friendlies against Belgium (lost 2-5, March 28) and Portugal (lost 0-2, March 31) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Pochettino officially named the final 26-man World Cup squad on May 26 at a reveal event in New York City broadcast live on FOX, and on May 30 named 38-year-old Tim Ream as World Cup captain. In the first of two send-off friendlies, the USMNT beat Senegal 3-2 in Charlotte on May 31 (the Allstate Continental Clásico), with Christian Pulisic ending a scoring drought and goalkeeper Chris Brady earning his first cap. A final tune-up against Germany follows on June 6 in Chicago (the Send-Off Match), with the team based at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Atlanta. Defender Chris Richards (torn ankle ligaments) is rehabbing in Atlanta and is doubtful for the opener. In Group D the USA face Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles, Australia on June 19 in Seattle and Türkiye on June 25 in Los Angeles.

Latest news

USA beat Senegal 3-2 in Charlotte as Pulisic ends scoring drought

Sun 31 May · matches

In the first of two pre-World Cup send-off friendlies, the USMNT beat Senegal 3-2 in Charlotte. Sergiño Dest (7') and Christian Pulisic (20') gave the U.S. a 2-0 lead before Sadio Mané scored twice (44', 52'). Folarin Balogun struck the winner (63') off a Tim Weah cross. Pulisic's goal was his first for the U.S. since November 2024. Chris Brady made his international debut in the second half.

espn.com · 2026-06-02
ussoccer.com · 2026-06-02

Chris Richards stays in Atlanta with ankle injury; World Cup status questionable

Sat 30 May · injuries

Defender Chris Richards did not travel to Charlotte for the Senegal friendly, staying near Atlanta to rehab an ankle injury (two torn ligaments sustained with Crystal Palace on May 17). Pochettino said Richards would be reevaluated before the June 6 Germany friendly, leaving his availability for the June 12 World Cup opener against Paraguay in doubt.

sports.yahoo.com · 2026-06-02
ussoccer.com · 2026-06-02

Pochettino names Tim Ream World Cup captain

Sat 30 May · general

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino announced that 38-year-old defender Tim Ream, the oldest player on the 26-man roster, will be the USMNT captain at the 2026 World Cup. Pochettino said it was his own decision, not a player vote, and praised Ream's leadership on and off the field. Ream had already worn the armband in 16 of 23 matches under Pochettino.

foxsports.com · 2026-06-02

Squad

Player	Position	Club
Chris Brady	GK	Chicago Fire
Matt Freese	GK	New York City FC
Matt Turner	GK	New England Revolution
Max Arfsten	DF	Columbus Crew
Sergiño Dest	DF	PSV Eindhoven
Alex Freeman	DF	Villarreal
Mark McKenzie	DF	Toulouse
Tim Ream	DF	Charlotte FC
Chris Richards	DF	Crystal Palace
Antonee Robinson	DF	Fulham
Miles Robinson	DF	FC Cincinnati
Joe Scally	DF	Borussia Mönchengladbach
Auston Trusty	DF	Celtic
Tyler Adams	MF	AFC Bournemouth
Sebastian Berhalter	MF	Vancouver Whitecaps
Weston McKennie	MF	Juventus
Cristian Roldan	MF	Seattle Sounders
Brenden Aaronson	MF	Leeds United
Christian Pulisic	MF	AC Milan
Gio Reyna	MF	Borussia Mönchengladbach
Malik Tillman	MF	Bayer Leverkusen
Tim Weah	MF	Marseille
Alejandro Zendejas	MF	Club América
Folarin Balogun	FW	AS Monaco
Ricardo Pepi	FW	PSV Eindhoven
Haji Wright	FW	Coventry City