The roster is already creating debate and reactions, however one of many greatest debates surrounds and his surprising inclusion.
Former U.S. goalkeeper and ESPN analyst Kasey Keller brazenly the choice, admitting he was caught off guard seeing Zendejas’ identify on the leaked squad record. “Alejandro Zendejas hasn’t been known as right into a squad since September, proper? How does he sneak in?”
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For Keller, the confusion comes down to a couple easy factors. First, Zendejas had fully disappeared from the nationwide group image in latest months below Mauricio Pochettino. He had not been known as up since September and has solely made 2 USMNT appearances throughout the final 18 months.
Keller did not perceive how the winger instantly jumped again into the World Cup dialog forward of gamers who had persistently been concerned with the squad.
“Anytime you’ve got a 26-man squad, you’re going to have gamers which might be there as a result of they complement the squad figuring out that they’re most likely not going to be taking part in,” Keller stated.
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“Some gamers like has proven that he can are available in sure video games and contribute. as properly on a defensive aspect. A number of the query marks, although, Alejandro Zendejas hasn’t been known as right into a squad since September, proper? How does he sneak in?”
He continued by evaluating to different gamers: “Look, I feel [Reyna] got here in at totally different occasions and confirmed that, ‘I can provide you one thing that you just don’t have in that squad,’ and in order that doesn’t shock me.”
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Keller particularly pointed to as a participant who appeared extra deserving of a spot. Tessmann had been closely concerned in latest camps whereas taking part in common soccer for in Ligue 1.
“I feel Tanner Tesman is the one which I feel after I take a look at the previous camps, the quantity that he’s performed, the quantity that he’s taking part in for within the French league, so he’s taking part in at a excessive stage, and that he will get omitted over any individual that hasn’t been known as in since September?” he stated.
Zendejas’ Membership Type Could Have Modified Every part
Leaving out an in-form midfielder who had stayed linked to the squad solely to deliver again somebody absent for months didn’t add as much as him.
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Nonetheless, there’s a robust counterargument working in Zendejas’ favor: his kind with Membership América has been unattainable to disregard.
The winger has been one of many best-performing gamers in Liga MX in latest weeks. On the time of the reported squad leak, he had scored and a pair of assists in his final 5 matches.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – MAY 10: Alejandro Zendejas of America scores his group’s third objective towards of Pumas UNAM in the course of the quarterfinals second leg match between Pumas UNAM and America as a part of the Torneo Clausura 2026 Liga MX at Olimpico Universitario Stadium on Could 10, 2026 in Mexico Metropolis, Mexico. (Photograph by Hector Vivas/Getty Pictures)
That late-season explosion might have satisfied Pochettino to take one other look regardless of Zendejas’ restricted worldwide involvement. Typically event squads come right down to momentum, confidence, and present kind greater than long-term planning.
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Now the strain shall be on Zendejas himself. If he performs on the World Cup stage, the criticism surrounding his inclusion might disappear shortly.
This story was initially printed by on Could 26, 2026, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a