USMNT Starting XI Projection for the 2026 World Cup
Now it's time to make some decisions.
After a fantastic fall for the United States men's national team, the team's optimistic finish to the year was brought back to Earth by March's matches.
Things got out of hand in a 5-2 loss to Belgium, with the U.S. conceding five in a row to a team led by Manchester City attacker Jeremy Doku, who they simply could not contain.
And while the performance Tuesday night against Portugal was much better, it still ended in a 2-0 defeat.
U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino will believe it was better to have these learning experiences now than in group play at the World Cup. But he also now heads into the next two months without another opportunity to see his players before naming his final World Cup squad in May.
So who will be singing the Star Spangled Banner in Southern California when the U.S. lines up to meet Paraguay? Who will be left off? Let's give it our best guess.
After utilizing a formation for most of the fall that saw the U.S. use a back three when it had the ball, Pochettino showed he's more than open to using a back four when he feels the situation calls for it or utilizing a false 9 rather than a traditional center forward. We're still setting up this team in a 3-4-2-1 formation, as that's what seems most likely for the opening match of the World Cup. But, like any team, this will morph during matches and likely change from game to game.
Goalkeeper: Matt Freese (New York City FC)
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Back between the sticks for the Portugal match after ceding his spot to Matt Turner in the Belgium contest, the job continues to seem like the NYCFC man's to lose. While he hasn't had a lockdown start to the MLS season and conceded twice against Portugal, he also made a few good stops during his 90 minutes.
Plus, he's had plenty of great moments in the U.S. shirt. So, too, has Turner. While U.S. keepers of days gone by have played for more prestigious clubs, Pochettino will roll with an MLS starter - and probably feel pretty good about it.
Right Wing Back: Sergino Dest (PSV)
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It's a race against time for Dest to get fit after suffering a hamstring injury with PSV, but while Tim Weah had a few bright moments at right back against Belgium, it looks far from his best position.
If Dest isn't able to return to full fitness before the U.S. opens against Paraguay, this job could fall to Weah, or it could be manned by Alex Freeman.
Center Back: Mark McKenzie (Toulouse)
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Perhaps it was simply because Miles Robinson missed out on both March games due to injury, but between McKenzie's 90 minutes against Belgium and his consistent performances with Toulouse, it seems he's edging toward Pochettino's preferred lineup.
Two of the three center-back slots, however, feel up for grabs, and McKenzie has been part of a couple of lopsided losses. He'll need to play the rest of the year as though his place on the World Cup squad isn't secure - much less his place in the XI.
Center Back: Chris Richards (Crystal Palace)
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His absence due to injury in a 5-2 loss against Belgium showed just how important the Americans' best defender is. Richards heads back to Crystal Palace with U.S. fans hoping he's in bubble wrap and praying to their deities that he comes into the summer fully fit.
There are probably more talented players in this roster, but Richards may be the most important to the team's success at the World Cup.
Center Back: Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)
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An unfortunate handball only magnified a tough night against Belgium for Ream, but it feels that Pochettino has confidence in the 38-year-old.
The 38-year-old has been around long enough to know that competitors would emerge for his starting spot. Several defenders played well, but for now, Ream is ahead of him thanks to what he does at the back and also how he starts attacks from deep when the ball is at his feet.
Left Wing Back: Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
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Welcome back, Jedi. After various injury absences kept him away from the national team for more than a year, Robinson returned and showed why everyone starting on the left side of defense has simply been keeping this spot warm for him.
He gets forward well, he defends well and even in two defeats, it was a huge positive for the U.S. to have him back on the field.
Central Midfield: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth)
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"If he's fit, he'll start." This is what we wrote about Adams in our November projection. That remains true. The bad news is that he wasn't fit for November's matches, and he wasn't fit for March's games either.
His injury isn't as severe as others that kept players out during this window, but Pochettino will feel much better if he sees Adams on the field for Bournemouth for several weeks in a row without incident.
What remains certain is that if he's fit, he'll start.
Central Midfield: Weston McKennie (Juventus)
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The question now is not if McKennie should be in the starting lineup but where he should play. The versatile Texan has played everywhere but goalkeeper for Juventus during the club season and, in many ways, is a dream player for the U.S. coaching staff since they can put him almost anywhere on the field.
While he may end up playing in a more attacking role, his goal against Belgium was another reminder that he can find the back of the net. It seems likely that he may be asked to cover ground in the midfield - at least against teams where the U.S. feels comfortable in a more aggressive posture, like the opener against Paraguay.
Right Winger: Tim Weah (Marseille)
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Pochettino tried the Marseille man out in a more defensive role. While he held up OK, he's not the answer for a player who can shut down one of the most elite wide attackers in the sport. There are other candidates to start in this role - including McKennie with Taner Tessmann or another midfielder partnering with Adams.
But Weah may provide enough going forward to make it worth playing him in the attack.
Left Attacking Midfielder: Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
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This was hardly Pulisic's best window, as all U.S. fans would love to see him go on a tear with AC Milan over the next two months, but the ability he has still makes him one of the first names on the team sheet.
Pulisic can create and finish. He can hit a dangerous set-piece ball. He's going to be on the field from the opening whistle unless something changes. drastically.
Center Forward: Folarin Balogun (Monaco)
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Hey, even if the U.S. doesn't have to play with a forward, it seems like a pretty good idea to go with one.
Balogun didn't score in March, but only two players did - one of them a forward. His form with Monaco and what he provides off the ball continue to make him the most likely starting option - even if it doesn't feel great seeing no center forward start in the final tune-up.
Complete 2026 World Cup Squad Projection
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Goalkeepers: Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution), Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew)
Defenders: Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Sergino Dest (PSV), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Alex Freeman (Villareal), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew)
Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Johnny Cardoso (Atletico Madrid)
Forwards: Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Tim Weah (Marseille), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Patrick Agyemang (Derby County), Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach), Haji Wright (Coventry City)
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