Pochettino’s USMNT squad faces midfield depth and fitness crisis ahead of World Cup
With the tournament commencing on 12 June against Paraguay, Mauricio Pochettino’s United States Men’s National Team enters the 2026 World Cup with a strong defensive line but a thin midfield and key players battling injury and form concerns.
Mauricio Pochettino has finalised the 26-man United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) squad for the 2026 World Cup, a selection that provides a foundation for the tournament but leaves significant structural questions regarding midfield depth and player fitness. With the tournament set to begin on 12 June against Paraguay, the head coach faces the task of integrating a roster that features a robust defensive core but lacks sufficient cover in central midfield.
The squad contains only four players who operate as deep-lying central midfielders for their clubs: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, and Weston McKennie. While players such as Brenden Aaronson, Gio Reyna, and Malik Tillman have occupied central roles, they are not considered defensively minded in those positions. This scarcity of defensive midfield options places immense pressure on Adams, who is viewed as one of the most irreplaceable players in the squad alongside Chris Richards.
Adams’ availability is a primary concern after he missed 12 games for Bournemouth earlier in the season due to knee and hamstring issues. Although he returned to play in April, he has made only three starts since, with just three full 90-minute performances recorded in the 2026 season. Given the intensity of the World Cup, Pochettino will need to manage Adams’ minutes carefully, with the group stage match against Australia identified as a likely opportunity for rest.
Defensive stability is further complicated by Chris Richards’ ankle injury, sustained just days before the pre-World Cup training camp began. Richards is expected to miss the penultimate tune-up against Senegal at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday. Despite his absence from the upcoming friendly, he is anticipated to be fit for the tournament, where his presence is considered critical to the team’s defensive quality.
Attacking form also presents challenges, particularly for Christian Pulisic, who is enduring a 22-game goal drought for club and country, with his last goal scored on 28 December. Pulisic’s output has dropped significantly from the 2024-25 season, where he scored 19 goals. Pochettino has indicated tactical flexibility for Pulisic, potentially moving him closer to goal to break the slump, while Gio Reyna is not considered fit for 90 minutes and is expected to come off the bench.
Tim Ream has been officially appointed captain, citing leadership qualities, though this does not guarantee him a starting spot given his dip in form at Charlotte FC. Sergino Dest is likely to start at wing-back, which may impact Tim Weah’s position, potentially pushing him to the bench. The team will face Senegal in a preparatory friendly before the World Cup begins, providing final opportunities for Pochettino to resolve these positional battles.
