USMNT World Cup roster spots up for grabs ahead of March friendlies

Five players who need big games against Portugal and Belgium to win over Mauricio Pochettino

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:58pm

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With the 2026 World Cup on home soil just months away, the race is on for United States national team players to prove they belong in Mauricio Pochettino's squad. The USMNT will face Portugal and Belgium in March, giving players one final chance to impress the head coach before the final roster is selected.

Why it matters

Making the USMNT World Cup roster is the dream of every eligible U.S. international, and the March friendlies represent a crucial opportunity for players on the bubble to solidify their place in Pochettino's plans. Strong performances could be the difference between making the team or being left off the final 23-man roster.

The details

The USMNT striker pool is suddenly loaded with talent, but Patrick Agyemang is likely fourth on the depth chart behind Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright. Goalkeeper Matt Turner has lost his grip on the starting job, and needs a good showing to retain a spot on the roster. Gio Reyna and Brenden Aaronson are both on the fringes of the squad, and must prove their worth to Pochettino. Meanwhile, the center-back position remains wide open behind Chris Richards, with several players vying for the final starting spot.

  • The USMNT will face Portugal on March 25 and Belgium on March 29 in Atlanta.
  • The final 23-man World Cup roster must be submitted in early June, just a few months after the March friendlies.

The players

Patrick Agyemang

A striker who is likely fourth on the USMNT depth chart behind Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright.

Matt Turner

The USMNT's starting goalkeeper at the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America, who has since lost his grip on the No. 1 shirt.

Gio Reyna

A talented attacking midfielder who has struggled with injuries at the club level, but remains an important part of Pochettino's plans.

Brenden Aaronson

A versatile winger who is no longer an every-game starter for the USMNT, but provides valuable qualities that fit Pochettino's system.

Chris Richards

The only USMNT center-back who is a locked-in starter, with the rest of the position still up for grabs.

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What they’re saying

“Every camp is important, every training session is important, every touch is important, and you treat everything as if it's the most important. Things are constantly in flux, there's battles all over the field. We're all pushing each other, we all want everybody to be performing at their very best.”

— Tim Ream, USMNT captain

“For me, I focus on myself a lot. Obviously, it's good to see all the boys doing well, but this is part of the job you do. The national team is always competitive, and you're competing against a lot of the top guys. All those boys are doing really well. It's a great feeling to be in the mix, and you just have to keep working hard to be in the mix and hopefully be selected.”

— Patrick Agyemang

What’s next

The USMNT will face Portugal on March 25 and Belgium on March 29 in Atlanta, giving players one final chance to impress Mauricio Pochettino before the final World Cup roster is selected in early June.

The takeaway

The March friendlies against Portugal and Belgium represent a crucial opportunity for USMNT players on the bubble to solidify their place in Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup plans. Strong performances could be the difference between making the team or being left off the final 23-man roster.