Pochettino's Depth Chart: Projecting The USMNT's 2026 World Cup Squad

Michael

3 min read

Post on Jun 16, 2025

4.5

Share

Pochettino's Depth Chart: Projecting the USMNT's 2026 World Cup Squad

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, is fast approaching, and excitement is building around the United States Men's National Team (USMNT). With Gregg Berhalter's departure and the appointment of highly-regarded manager, Diego Martínez, the question on every American soccer fan's mind is: who will make the cut for the home World Cup? While it's still early days, analyzing the current talent pool and considering Martínez's likely tactical approach allows us to project a potential USMNT 2026 World Cup squad.

A New Era Under Martínez:

Martínez's appointment marks a significant shift for the USMNT. His emphasis on possession-based football and tactical flexibility suggests a departure from previous strategies. This means players with technical proficiency, tactical awareness, and versatility will likely be favored. This projection considers this shift, factoring in players who excel in these areas.

Goalkeepers:

• Matt Turner (Arsenal): Turner's experience in the Premier League solidifies his position as the likely number one.
• Zack Steffen (Middlesbrough): Steffen's potential return to form could see him secure the backup spot.
• Ethan Horvath (Luton Town): Horvath provides reliable depth and Premier League experience.

Defenders:

The USMNT boasts considerable depth in defense, but projecting the starting XI and backups is complex due to the emergence of several promising young talents.

• Center-backs: Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), Chris Richards (Hoffenheim), John Brooks (potential return), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic) will fight for the starting spots. Young talents like Henry Kessler (New England Revolution) could push for inclusion.
• Full-backs: Sergiño Dest (AC Milan) and Antonee Robinson (Fulham) are established options, but competition will likely come from players like DeAndre Yedlin (Inter Miami CF), Reggie Cannon (Boavista), and emerging talent.

Midfielders:

The midfield is likely to be a highly contested area. We anticipate a blend of experience and youth.

• Central Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Weston McKennie (Juventus), and Yunus Musah (AC Milan) are strong contenders for starting positions. However, competition from players like Luca de la Torre (Celta Vigo) and James Sands (Rangers) is fierce.
• Attacking Midfielders: Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Dortmund) possesses immense talent but needs consistent playing time to secure a spot. Other players like Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders FC) and Djordje Mihailovic (Montreal Impact) will also be vying for inclusion.

Forwards:

The forward line holds perhaps the most exciting potential for the USMNT.

• Strikers: Ricardo Pepi (Groningen) and Jesús Ferreira (FC Dallas) are leading contenders, but competition from younger players looking to break through is intense.
• Wingers: Tim Weah (Lille) and Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United) provide pace and creativity. However, players like Jordan Morris (Seattle Sounders FC) will need to consistently perform to maintain their place.

The Wildcard Factor:

This projection is, of course, subject to change. Injuries, form, and tactical shifts could significantly alter the squad composition. The emergence of new talent in the next few years will also play a crucial role. We might even see the surprise inclusion of players currently not on the radar.

Conclusion:

Building a successful 2026 World Cup squad requires a blend of experience, youth, and adaptability. The competition for places will be intense, creating a healthy environment for player development. The path to the 2026 World Cup promises to be an exciting journey for the USMNT and its fans. Who do you think will make the final cut? Share your predictions in the comments below!