USMNT Roster Revealed for World Cup Tune-Up Matches

Pochettino names 30-player squad ahead of friendlies against Portugal and Belgium

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:50pm

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With less than three months until the 2026 World Cup, United States Men's National Team manager Mauricio Pochettino has announced a 30-player roster for upcoming friendlies against Portugal and Belgium. The squad features a mix of experienced veterans and rising young talents as the USMNT looks to build chemistry and confidence ahead of the tournament.

Why it matters

These tune-up matches will be the last chance for Pochettino to evaluate his player pool before finalizing the 26-man World Cup roster. The games against Portugal and Belgium will provide a stern test for the USMNT, offering valuable insight into the team's strengths, weaknesses, and readiness for the global stage.

The details

Notable absences from the roster include starting right back Sergino Dest, who is sidelined by injury, and 19-year-old center-back Noahkai Banks, who is reportedly undecided on his international future between the U.S. and Germany. The squad is led by veteran goalkeeper Matt Freese, who appears to have the inside track on the starting job, and a defense anchored by Chris Richards. In midfield, the USMNT will rely on the dynamic duo of Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah, while the attack features the talented trio of Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson, and Folarin Balogun.

  • The USMNT will face Portugal on March 28 in Atlanta.
  • The team will then take on Belgium on March 31, also in Atlanta.
  • The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 12, with the USMNT's opening match against Paraguay in Los Angeles.

The players

Mauricio Pochettino

The manager of the United States Men's National Team, tasked with leading the team to the 2026 World Cup.

Matt Freese

The goalkeeper who appears to be the frontrunner for the starting job in the USMNT's net.

Chris Richards

The center-back who is considered the most reliable option in the USMNT's defensive unit.

Weston McKennie

The dynamic midfielder who has been playing at a high level and is expected to be a key contributor for the USMNT.

Yunus Musah

The young midfielder who has recently impressed for his club team, Atalanta, and could earn a spot in the USMNT's starting lineup.

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What they’re saying

“These tune-up matches will be crucial for us to continue building chemistry and confidence as a team ahead of the World Cup. We know we'll be facing two very talented opponents in Portugal and Belgium, but this is the kind of challenge we need to prepare ourselves for the global stage.”

— Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT Manager

“I'm honored to be a part of this USMNT squad and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to represent my country. These friendlies will be a great chance for us to test ourselves against top-level competition and fine-tune our game plan for the World Cup.”

— Chris Richards, USMNT Defender

What’s next

The USMNT will continue training and preparing for the upcoming friendlies against Portugal and Belgium, which will be crucial tune-up matches ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Pochettino and his staff will use these games to finalize the 26-player roster that will represent the United States in the tournament.

The takeaway

The USMNT's 30-player roster for the upcoming friendlies showcases a blend of experienced veterans and promising young talent, as Pochettino looks to build a cohesive and competitive team capable of making a deep run at the 2026 World Cup. These tune-up matches will be a crucial final step in the team's preparation for the global stage.