Pulisic and McKennie seen as locks for 2026 USMNT, but competition behind them is fierce

GOAL projects Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie as locks for the U.S. Men’s National Team’s 2026 World Cup roster as manager Mauricio Pochettino prepares final selections for the home tournament just months away. In goal, GOAL’s picks are Matt Freese, Patrick Schulte and Matt Turner, with Jonathan Klinsmann, Ethan Horvath, Chris Brady and others listed as in the mix.

Freese appears to be the starter and Turner the most likely backup, while Klinsmann’s recent Serie B minutes keep him relevant for March. On the back line GOAL names Max Arfsten, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson and Miles Robinson as picks, with Noahkai Banks, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Joe Scally and others pushing from the periphery.

Banks is labelled a wildcard after stepping up in the Bundesliga, and Scally’s versatility is noted; Robinson’s return to full fitness adds depth at left back. The midfield group projects Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie, Aidan Morris, Gio Reyna, Cristian Roldan, Tanner Tessmann and Malik Tillman, while Johnny Cardoso, Luca de la Torre, Jack McGlynn and Yunus Musah remain in the mix.

GOAL highlights the ongoing debate over Reyna, Cardoso’s Atletico Madrid status, McGlynn’s recovery timeline and Musah’s limited club output, and calls McKennie’s recent form a key boost for his place.

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