USMNT Projected Starting XI With World Cup Three Months Away

The United States Men's National Team is gearing up for its most important tournament in team history.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:20am

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With the 2026 World Cup in North America just three months away, discussion is now on who will make the starting lineup for the USMNT. Although there's still debate over the formation, a projected 4-3-3 lineup features a mix of experienced veterans and rising young stars.

Why it matters

The USMNT is aiming to make a deep run at the World Cup on home soil, which would be their best performance since reaching the quarterfinals in 2002. The starting lineup selections will be crucial in determining the team's success and how they are perceived on the global stage.

The details

The projected starting XI includes goalkeeper Matt Freese, defenders Antonee Robinson, Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, and Noahkai Banks, midfielders Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, and Timothy Weah, and forwards Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun. While some positions are locked in, there is still debate over the final roster and formation Mauricio Pochettino will choose to deploy.

  • The 2026 World Cup in North America is just three months away.
  • The USMNT will face Paraguay in their opening game in early June.

The players

Matt Freese

The 27-year-old goalkeeper from New York City FC is the undisputed starter in net for the USMNT heading into the World Cup.

Antonee Robinson

The 28-year-old Fulham defender is seen as one of the best players at his position in the world when healthy, but injuries have been a concern.

Alex Freeman

The 21-year-old Villarreal defender could be an important piece for the USMNT depending on the durability of the other defenders on the roster.

Chris Richards

The 25-year-old Crystal Palace defender is the anchor on the USMNT defense and will be heavily relied upon if the team wants to reach its first quarterfinal since 2002.

Noahkai Banks

The 19-year-old FC Augsburg defender is a rising star who is split between representing Germany or the United States.

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What they’re saying

“Although there's still debate over which formation Pochettino could go with, for now, we will run as if he's going with a basic 4-3-3 lineup.”

— Tyler Erzberger

“This is the craziest selection of the entire starting XI. Banks might not even play for the United States, as he is split between Germany and the U.S. He's a rising star in the game, and while 38-year-old Tim Ream or Mark McKenzie are more straightforward answers, I'll take the most fun option on the board.”

— Tyler Erzberger

What’s next

The USMNT will face Paraguay in their opening World Cup match in early June at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

The takeaway

The USMNT is aiming to make a deep run at the World Cup on home soil, and the starting lineup selections will be crucial in determining the team's success. With a mix of experienced veterans and rising young stars, Mauricio Pochettino has some tough decisions to make in finalizing his roster and formation.