Mauricio Pochettino named a 26 built on 13 returnees from Qatar 2022 — Pulisic, Adams, McKennie and Robinson anchor it, with Balogun, Pepi and Haji Wright up top. Diego Luna is the headline omission; Gio Reyna and Alex Zendejas are in. Ten defenders made the trip.
Pulisic, with 84 caps, is the most experienced name on a roster that ties the USA record for returnees between tournaments. The spine is familiar; the attack — Balogun off 19 goals for Monaco, plus Pepi and Haji Wright — carries more end product than 2022.
Luna's omission is the talking point: widely tipped to start, he loses out as Reyna and Zendejas come back into favour. The one structural worry is depth at the base of midfield — Adams is the only natural No. 6 after Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris missed out. The hosts open at home against Paraguay in Group D, with Australia and Türkiye to follow.
Home advantage only counts if the No. 6 stays fit. The USA's tournament hinges on Tyler Adams's hamstrings.
This was the date the squad-reveal calendar circled for the hosts. For managers, the USA are a low-owned fantasy pocket worth mining; the bigger picture — three hosts, three burdens — is our Press Box read.
Sources: U.S. Soccer · ESPN · CBS Sports.