Cup

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — You possibly can make the case that, given the place he stands alphabetically within the U.S. participant pool, was virtually sure to obtain the No. 26 uniform on a .

You possibly can additionally moderately conclude the quantity mirrored his very a lot unsure standing within the weeks resulting in Mauricio Pochettino’s roster announcement Tuesday in New York.

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As teammate mentioned, “We joked round about his quantity as a result of we had been most likely one of many later guys on the roster.”

Fact is, there wasn’t a lot rhyme or cause to Zendejas’ 26. (Or Roldan’s 15.) And the 28-year-old winger — and solely U.S. World Cup participant employed by a Mexican membership — was not at all somebody chosen simply to take a seat on the tip of the bench.

Coming off one other standout season for Liga MX’s Membership América, Zendejas brandished robust credentials as Pochettino and his workers weighed roster selections forward of this summer time’s soccer pageant throughout North America.

There have been doubts, nonetheless, about Zendejas making the lower. Since scoring a terrific aim in opposition to in September, he withdrew from October camp with a knee harm, missed the November meeting and wasn’t summoned for the final camp, in March.

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It felt more and more unlikely he’d make the lower.

“I’ve all the time mentioned it relies upon what you do at membership stage,” Zendejas mentioned Friday. “I attempted to do my finest, and fortunately the decision got here in.”

winger Alejandro Zendejas poses along with his jersey throughout the US World Cup roster reveal on Could 26, 2026 in New York Metropolis. (Ira L. Black/USSF by way of Getty Photos)

He was in San Antonio along with his girlfriend and household when the message to all 26 chosen gamers arrived final Friday.

“It is laborious to make my dad cry,” he mentioned of his father, Alfredo. “My mother, she’s very delicate, like me, however at any time when my dad cries, that is how you understand it’s critical. When he hugged me, I might really feel shaking in his voice. He began tearing up, and that makes me tear up.”

Till that second, Zendejas had completed a number of ready and questioning. Since América’s season had ended 12 days earlier with a quarterfinal defeat, he had bided his time by coaching on his personal and making an attempt to stay match slot in case the decision got here.

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When it did, he celebrated with household earlier than packing his luggage for the roster celebration in decrease Manhattan.

“Tremendous thrilling week for me and my household — all these sacrifices ever since I used to be little, lastly paying off,” he mentioned. “They’ve all the time paid off [as a player], but it surely’s similar to one other cherry on high, man. Tremendous grateful to be right here.”

Zendejas is an X think about Pochettino’s plans — a small, elusive and technical winger with the power to maintain opponents off-balance.

Pochettino known as him a “very fascinating participant tactically” as a result of “he can play on the wings or within the midfield pockets [and] gives various potentialities.”

Zendejas additionally brings productiveness: 48 targets and 29 assists in 162 Liga MX matches since becoming a member of América 5 years in the past. He’s considered one of many league’s most impactful gamers.

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“He has one thing that is completely different, that is distinctive — his technical means, his ultimate product,” Roldan mentioned. “We see that out in coaching each time we’re with him — and he was killing it.”

Drawback was, he was additionally battling accidents. He missed all 4 membership matches in January and 4 extra between Feb. 12 and March 1. As he labored his means again, Pochettino left him off the March roster for the friendlies in opposition to and .

“Credit score to him for most likely having a bit of little bit of doubt in his thoughts however enjoying effectively and persevering with to play effectively,” Roldan mentioned.

From Cuidad Juárez to the USMNT World Cup squad

Zendejas’ story started on each side of the Rio Grande. Born in Ciudad Juárez, , the household moved throughout the border to El Paso earlier than he turned 1.

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“At dwelling, I all the time spoke Spanish,” he mentioned in English. “I really like the Mexican tradition, their meals, their historical past, particularly me dwelling down there 1780091567. … I really like each side and the way in which it formed me. I adore it as a result of I grew up doing each issues on the similar time. So I do not desire one or the opposite. I am simply grateful to have each citizenship.”

In soccer, he additionally straddled each international locations. He got here by means of the academy system and, at age 15, joined the U.S. Soccer residency program in Bradenton, Florida.

Richie Williams, the U.S. under-17 nationwide staff coach on the time, admired not simply Zendejas’ talent set however his off-field work ethic.

“He was all the time round, serving to transfer tools and choosing up balls,” Williams mentioned. “Nice child on high of being an important participant.”

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Just like the 5-foot-6 Zendejas, Williams, a former MLS defensive midfielder, is small. So the 5-5 ex-MLS defensive midfielder might relate to {the teenager} utilizing his energy to push back challenges from larger gamers.

“Small guys nonetheless must have agility and energy,” Williams mentioned. “That’s what I keep in mind: He wasn’t getting knocked off the ball.”

Zendejas made the 2015 FIFA Beneath-17 World Cup squad in Chile, enjoying alongside present teammates , , and .

Regardless of Zendejas’ U.S. experiences, Mexico remained a part of his soccer life. After launching his profession with an FC Dallas homegrown contract, he moved to Chivas, the famed Mexican membership in Guadalajara, then to Necaxa.

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Quickly, the program took discover. (As a twin nationwide, he was eligible for each international locations.) In 2021-22, he made two appearances for Mexico’s senior squad.

Nevertheless, he was tied to the U.S. program as a result of he had performed in official competitors. With out requesting a one-time change, he was ineligible to play in these Mexican friendlies. FIFA declared them forfeits and fined the Mexican federation.

Mexico’s pursuit continued, however Zendejas had made up his thoughts to stay with the U.S. program. He grew to become the second Mexican-born participant to play for the U.S. nationwide staff after Martín Vázquez within the Nineteen Nineties. He’s additionally the primary Liga MX participant on a U.S. World Cup squad since and in 2010.

In Mexico, Zendejas has handled the fallout of staying with the U.S.

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“It’s simply the way you handle it,” he mentioned.

He made seven of his 13 U.S. appearances in 2023 alone, scoring in opposition to Grenada in a Concacaf Nations League match. The next yr, in Pochettino’s second sport in cost, he performed the second half of a pleasant in opposition to Mexico in Guadalajara.

Zendejas’ aim in opposition to Japan final fall in Columbus, Ohio, was a magnificence: a 12-yard facet volley within the first half of a 2-0 victory. Pochettino invited him again a month later, however a knee harm compelled him to depart camp.

“If you’re injured, you are going by means of laborious instances … having my household, these mates, for positive helped me,” he mentioned.

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The March camp got here and went with out him. His América marketing campaign, although, bought again on monitor with 4 targets and three assists the ultimate month, together with two targets and an help within the playoff finale in opposition to Pumas.

Pochettino took be aware. Zendejas’ eight-month absence from the U.S. scene ended Tuesday in New York along with his introduction onto an outside stage — as that final participant, No. 26.

“I am right here,” he mentioned, “and I am joyful.”