Pochettino's USMNT World Cup Puzzle: Our Cheeky 26-Man Squad Prediction for 2026 Glory

Picture this: the 2026 World Cup is knocking on the door, co-hosted on home soil, and Mauricio Pochettino is sweating over his USMNT roster like a manager picking his fantasy team after a dodgy curry. After a purple patch at the tail end of 2025 – four wins in five unbeaten games – reality bit hard in March. A 5-2 thrashing by Belgium and a 2-0 reverse against Portugal in front of 110,000 punters across Atlanta had fans nursing sore heads.

Now, staring down Group D with Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye, Poch needs a squad to top the group and dream big. No last-minute June friendlies for cuts here; the Argentine's naming his 26 in May to dodge the heartbreak. As SI Soccer forecasted, we've brewed our own prediction in a classic 4-2-3-1 – his go-to shape, even if the lads shone more in a back three lately.

Keepers: Freese the Steady Hand, Turner Clinging On

Matt Freese (New York City FC, 13 caps) is our No.1 punt. The bloke guarded the posts through 2025, facing Portugal in March with three saves despite a dodgy counter and corner meltdown. Solid as a rock.

Matt Turner (New England Revolution, 53 caps) bounced back vs Belgium with five stops, though his MLS form's wobblier than a pint on a wobbly table. He's in the mix, distribution woes aside.

Third spot? Chris Brady (Chicago Fire, uncapped, 21 years young) edges it over Patrick Schulte. Future starlet getting a World Cup sniff.

Centre-Backs: Richards the Rock, Ream the Veteran Glue

Chris Richards (Crystal Palace, 35 caps) is the undisputed boss. Premier League class, calming the chaos even in that Portugal loss – knee niggle or not. Right side of the duo in a four, or middle in a three.

Tim Ream (Charlotte FC, 80 caps) is the grizzled lock, experience trumping recent wobbles. Then the scrap: Mark McKenzie (Toulouse, 26), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati, 38), Auston Trusty (Celtic, 5) for the third berth. Noahkai Banks lurks as a wildcard.

Full-Backs/Wing-Backs: Robinson and Dest to Rampage

The flanks look sorted. Antonee Robinson (Fulham, 51 caps) and Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven, 37) are starters, shape be damned. Alex Freeman (Orlando City, 14) impressed at right-back vs Portugal, versatile enough for centre or wing.

Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew, 17) backs up the left. Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and John Tolkin could crash the party with end-of-season fireworks – Tolkin shone in that 5-1 over Uruguay.

Midfield Engine Room: McKennie Muscle, Adams Steel

Midfield's a beast. Weston McKennie (Juventus, 63 caps) bagged one vs Belgium – pure box-to-box fire. Tyler Adams (Bournemouth, 52) brings bite, Johnny Cardoso (Atlético Madrid, 22) grit.

Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach, 35) dazzles, Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps, 10) depth, and Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders) the workhorse. Positional balance, recent form, and talent dictate – no room for sentiment.

Poch's never cut a squad like this before, but with home advantage, this lot could go deep. Will Freese thwart Trincão-esque counters? Can Richards marshall the madness? Pour another round; the Yanks might just surprise.