Pochettino’s USA squad faces generational shift ahead of 2030 World Cup
Following a 4-1 exit from the 2026 tournament, the US men’s national team is evaluating 12 emerging players for the centennial competition in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.
The United States men’s national team is undergoing a significant structural review as head coach Mauricio Pochettino prepares for a four-match friendly schedule commencing in September 2026. Following the squad’s elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup by Belgium, the coaching staff is actively assessing a new generation of players who were omitted from the recent roster. This evaluation is a critical step in building a competitive framework for the 2030 centennial World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.
The upcoming exhibition series, scheduled between 26 September and 6 October, offers a rare opportunity for the team to integrate young talents before the Concacaf Nations League resumes in November. The US side will face Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada during this period. With the under-23 squad, led by Steve Cherundolo, currently idle until the November FIFA window, Pochettino has the chance to observe these emerging players in a senior context.
Personnel changes are already evident in the current squad. Forward Christian Pulisic has not played for AC Milan since suffering two microfractures in his right leg during the 2026 World Cup. Additionally, veteran captain Tim Ream, who turns 39 in September 2026, is widely expected to retire from international duty, signalling a shift away from the previous leadership structure.
Pochettino has identified 12 specific young players for potential inclusion in the 2030 squad. Among them is defender Alex Freeman, who transitioned from an uncapped prospect in mid-2025 to a World Cup starter. Freeman scored against Australia and logged the second-most minutes of any American in the tournament, behind only Weston McKennie.
Another notable candidate is a young forward referred to as Gozo, who scored six goals in 16 MLS appearances for Real Salt Lake this spring. The Utah native subsequently transferred to Crystal Palace for a $15 million fee and made his Premier League debut in a recent loss to Manchester City. Pochettino is weighing whether to include Gozo in the upcoming camp or allow him to continue acclimatising to his new club environment.
"It's going to be important to provide the young kids that we really believe have the potential to arrive in 2030 in four years to start to work and start to know what we expect from them," Pochettino said upon his return to the role. He emphasised that these players need to feel that if they perform, they have the possibility of joining the senior squad.
