The U.S. males’s nationwide soccer staff is now in a World Cup yr, which implies gamers angling for a spot on Mauricio Pochettino’s 26-man squad. First, although, they’ll intention to get themselves on the roster for the March friendlies in opposition to Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta.
A call-up to the final coaching camp earlier than Pochettino selects his World Cup staff in late Might won’t include summer season ensures. Nor will lacking out in March preclude choice to the match.
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Over the following two-plus months, although, Pochettino and his employees will maintain a detailed eye on membership performances earlier than sending out invites. Barring damage, a lot of the regulars are assured of creating the checklist. A number of candidates, nonetheless, would bolster their case with robust recitals in European leagues, Main League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga MX.
Listed below are 10 gamers with essentially the most to realize:
PSV Eindhoven ahead Ricardo Pepi continues to make a case for inclusion on the USMNT’s 2026 World Cup roster.
(NurPhoto through Getty Pictures)Ricardo Pepi, PSV Eindhoven
Again in PSV Eindhoven’s beginning lineup and effervescent with confidence, the Texas-born striker is poised to maneuver up the U.S. depth chart. With Pepi out of the U.S. image till the top of 2025 — as a result of accidents and membership taking part in time — Monaco’s Folarin Balogun strengthened his top-man standing and Coventry Metropolis’s Haji Wright proved a worthy back-up.
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Pepi, who will flip 23 on Friday, is in nice type with targets in 5 of his previous six PSV appearances and 5 targets and two assists within the seven matches earlier than the winter break. Throughout all membership competitions, he has 10 targets and three assists in 21 video games. He’s additionally a sizzling commodity on the switch market, with PSV reportedly turning down a $35 million provide from Premier League aspect Fulham.
Gio Reyna, Borussia Mönchengladbach
The enigmatic midfielder bolstered his U.S. standing with very good performances within the November window — his first call-up since March. However to assist stay in Pochettino’s good graces and keep within the World Cup combine, the 23-year-old should proceed incomes begins for Mönchengladbach, the Bundesliga membership he joined from Borussia Dortmund over the summer season.
A sub a lot of the first a number of months, Reyna began the final 4 matches earlier than the winter break and obtained blended opinions. He has but to document a objective or help this season.
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Noahkai Banks, FC Augsburg
Although he has by no means performed for the U.S. staff, the 19-year-old heart again stays an intriguing character because the World Cup approaches. The Hawaiian-born German American obtained his first senior call-up in September however didn’t get into both pleasant. Having began nearly each sport since early October for Augsburg within the Bundesliga, Banks shouldn’t be missed.
Pochettino’s heart again corps will not be set in stone. He has used Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards, Charlotte’s Tim Ream, Cincinnati’s Miles Robinson, Toulouse’s Mark McKenzie and Celtic’s Auston Trusty. (Toronto FC’s Walker Zimmerman and Vancouver’s Tristan Blackmon are additionally within the pool, and Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers is recovering from an Achilles’ tendon damage.)
Johnny Cardoso, Atlético Madrid
If relying solely on his membership portfolio, the 24-year-old heart midfielder must be a U.S. common. Up to now two years, he has moved from Brazil’s Internacional to Spain’s Actual Betis and attracted curiosity from England’s Tottenham Hotspur earlier than leaping to Atlético Madrid final summer season on a $35 million switch.
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However accidents have hampered his ascent and, oddly, he has by no means performed very properly for the nationwide staff. His most up-to-date appearances, within the June friendlies in opposition to Turkey and Switzerland, had been forgettable. Common assignments with Atletico would possibly earn him one final likelihood with Pochettino.
Patrick Agyemang, Derby County
The 6-foot-4 Connecticut native took a little bit of danger final summer season by leaving a sure function in MLS for the uncertainties of the English Championship. Had he sat on Derby County’s bench, Agyemang would have misplaced all World Cup hope.
However he has tailored properly, recording six targets and three assists in 19 begins, together with a two-goal effort in opposition to Sheffield Wednesday final month. An excellent run over the following two months would maintain him in competition for a March call-up.
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Alex Zendejas, Membership América
The one Liga MX candidate underneath severe consideration, the intelligent, Mexican-born winger has been terrific for Membership America and proven flashes of brilliance for the nationwide staff. His volleyed objective in opposition to Japan in September was all class. Nevertheless, he withdrew from the October camp with a knee damage and wasn’t known as up a month later.
Luca de la Torre, Charlotte F.C.
Lowered taking part in time in San Diego final season broken his U.S. standing, however with a transfer to Charlotte this offseason, the 27-year-old central midfielder with 32 caps might reenter the dialog. Like most MLS gamers, although, he won’t have a lot time to make his case: The common season doesn’t begin till Feb. 21.
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Yunus Musah, Atalanta
As soon as a mainstay within the U.S. lineup – 47 caps earlier than he turned 23 – the versatile Musah has pale from the scene for the reason that Nations League finals final March. After becoming a member of Atalanta on mortgage from AC Milan in Serie A this season, he has been used nearly completely as a sub. His minutes have picked up not too long ago, hinting at a bigger function down the stretch.
Josh Sargent, Norwich Metropolis
Whereas Pochettino and U.S. followers have all however given up on the Norwich Metropolis striker, there’s all the time that chance Sargent goes on a loopy scoring surge. In spite of everything, he has scored 52 targets the previous 3 ½ years in England’s second division. Even when he did go wild, although, there’s little religion in a U.S. uniform: He hasn’t scored for his nation since November 2019.
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Damion Downs, Hamburg
Generally a change of surroundings does wonders, and within the case of this 6-foot-4, 21-year-old striker with six caps, this week’s transfer to Hamburg on mortgage from Southampton might do the trick. He began as soon as within the English Championship and hadn’t performed since Nov. 25.