Pochettino Names Official USMNT 26-Man World Cup Roster — Pulisic Captains, Reyna Included, Luna and Tessmann Snubbed; Youngest-Average-Age Squad in Modern US History

Mauricio Pochettino officially announced the United States men's national team's final 26-man World Cup roster at a live nationally televised event at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City on May 26, broadcast on FOX. The squad, with an average age of 26 years 332 days, is the fifth youngest ever for the USMNT at a World Cup, with 13 returners from Qatar 2022 and 13 first-timers. Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) captains the squad. Full roster: GK — Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (NYCFC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution); DEF — Max Arfsten, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards (included despite ankle ligament injury rated 50/50), Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, Auston Trusty; MID — Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie, Cristian Roldan; FWD — Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Malik Tillman, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas (Club América — surprise inclusion); ST — Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright. Notable inclusions: Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach) returns after a turbulent international career; Alejandro Zendejas (Club América) is the headline surprise. Notable snubs: Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), Tanner Tessmann (Lyon), Cade Cowell. USA open Group D vs Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles; then Kosovo (June 16, AT&T Stadium Dallas) and Australia (June 21, NRG Stadium Houston). Pre-tournament friendly: May 31 vs Senegal in Charlotte. 16 days to kickoff.