With two home tournaments on the horizon, GOAL breaks down who is most likely to feature for the best American team in years
The U.S. men's national team's road to the 2026 World Cup effectively began the moment the final whistle blew at Khalifa International Stadium following the last-16 defeat to the Netherlands. Players were asked about it in the moments after: What that road would look like? Who would be a part of it? Who would lead the charge?
Much will change on that road, and predicting World Cup squads years in advance is almost impossible. Three years before the 2022 World Cup, for example, USMNT fans knew nothing of Yunus Musah; Matt Turner was barely a starter in 2019; Brenden Aaronson didn't even make his MLS debut until midway through that year. But here we are, predicting that road because it promises to be such an exciting journey.
Obviously, given the youthfulness of the 2022 World Cup team, it's safe to say we know some players who will be involved. Much of the team's young core isn't going anywhere, which is great news for Gregg Berhalter as he returns to coach a second cycle.
Some players, too, will likely age out. And then there are the youngsters, fresh off an impressive Under-20 World Cup, that could make the leap in the coming years.
With all that said, GOAL continues to track the top 50 players in the USMNT pool…
Getty Images1Christian Pulisic ↔️
Pulisic's move to AC Milan lit a fire under him as he has been spectacular for club and country. Having scored plenty for the Serie A giants already, Pulisic remains the USMNT's top dog as he continues to be the flag-bearer at home and abroad.
AdvertisementGetty Images2Weston McKennie ⬆️
He's back to playing a big role at Juventus, which is good news for both McKennie and the U.S. The midfielder has been key for Juve all season long, and is arguably having the best campaign of any player at the club so far.
For the U.S., he remains essentially undroppable no matter how the U.S. midfield shakes out going forward.
USA Today3Gio Reyna ⬇️
Reyna's career is in a weird spot right now. Despite his lack of club minutes, he's shining every time he takes the field for the USMNT and, because of that, it's hard to see how the U.S. can go forward without him starting.
Can he get something, anything, out of this Nottingham Forest loan? If he can, he'll basically be a locked-in starter in time for the Copa.
Getty Images4Antonee Robinson ⬆️
You could genuinely argue that Robinson has been the Premier League's best left-back this season, that's how well he is playing.
He's the USMNT's unquestioned starter on the left of the defense, too, and there really isn't anyone in a position to unseat him any time soon. It seems his career is only on the rise as the fullback continues to be linked with big clubs in Europe.
