USA World Cup 2026 Roster: Reyna Back as Pochettino Finalizes Squad

Pochettino names 26-man USA squad for World Cup

Reyna returns to the US squad four years after nearly leaving the 2022 tournament. Europe-based stars Pulisic, McKennie, and Balogun headline the roster alongside MLS picks.

USA announce World Cup squad as Reyna earns surprise recall...

United States coach Mauricio Pochettino included Giovanni Reyna in his 26-man World Cup squad on Tuesday. It marks a return for the midfielder four years after he nearly left the 2022 Qatar tournament following a disagreement with former coach Gregg Berhalter.

Reyna, an attacking midfielder for Borussia Monchengladbach, came off the bench in the USA’s friendlies against Belgium and Portugal in March. His performances in those games followed an impressive showing during the November international window, which caught Pochettino’s attention.

Reyna has seen limited action at club level since the start of the year. He made just eight appearances in the Bundesliga, all as a substitute for Monchengladbach.

Despite that, the 23-year-old remains one of the most technically gifted attacking options for Pochettino. The Argentine coach is preparing the USA for their World Cup Group D opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12.

The USA were placed in Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay, and Turkey.

Reyna was at the center of a major controversy in Doha four years ago. After the tournament it came out that he had nearly been sent home from the camp by then coach Gregg Berhalter due to his behavior in training.

That revelation led Reyna’s mother to inform US Soccer about a physical altercation in 1991 between Berhalter and his then girlfriend, now wife. The disclosure triggered an investigation by US Soccer.

Pochettino revealed his squad at a roster announcement event in New York on Tuesday.

As expected, players based in Europe make up most of Pochettino’s squad. The list includes AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic, Juventus’s Weston McKennie, and Monaco’s Folarin Balogun. It also features several English Premier League players: Tyler Adams of Bournemouth, Brenden Aaronson of Leeds, Chris Richards of Crystal Palace, and Antonee Robinson of Fulham.

Among the MLS players selected is Sebastian Berhalter, midfielder for Vancouver Whitecaps and son of former coach Gregg Berhalter.

Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)

Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergino Dest (PSV), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (New England Revolution), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)

Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen)

Forwards: Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Christian Pulisic (Milan), Timothy Weah (Marseille), Haji Wright (Coventry City), Alejandro Zendejas (Club America)

Squad up. 👊 pic.twitter.com/1nVkrGrNsi

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 26, 2026