Driving the Usmnt World Cup: Luna on Rina? Turner begins in GK?
Doug Macintire
Football journalist
We are still more than a year from the 2026 World Cup, but it is not too early to hold an evaluation of players who will represent the national team of men in the United States in the largest sporting event for the planet.
Under the USMNT MAURICIO POCITTINO coach, there will be some clear options for those who make up the list of 26 players. But expect some roles to be suspended, especially if this team continues to struggle as it is now amid a shock series in four games that enter the Gold Cup.
This may lead to a lot of surprises when the team is officially named next year.
If the World Cup starts today, what players will be the beginning of the eleventh? How different is the team that will appear from the group that reached a round of 16 in Qatar 2022? Let’s go to the situation and see who is receiving this call.
Goalkeepers
Matt Turner is preferred to start the US goal in the World Cup. (Photo by John Dageon/ISI photos/USF/Getty Images)
GK: Matt Turner
Reserve copies: Zach Stephenand Patrick Schult
I just missed: Freiz diedand Diego Cochin
With only one year passed, Turner – the beginning of USMnt since 2022 – has not faced a serious challenge to his job despite his lack of usual gameplay with Crystal Palace. Stephen was supposed to prove that he was in the gold cup for this month, but he harmed his knee and would miss the championship. With Turner expected to find a new club as it will be the first place later this summer, he remains in the position of the pole in the next World Cup.
Promotion from ’22?: Yes. Turner now has the World Cup and the Premier League experience, something he had no four years. It did not start at the club level after that. But the potential transition from Crystal Palace to French Club Lyon should give him time to increase his minutes.
Defenders
Is Antonee Robinson the second best player on USMnt? (Photo by Stephen Nadler/ISI photos/Getty Images)
(RL): Sergino fateand Chris Richardsand Miles Robinsonand Antonee “Jedi” Robinson
Reserve versions: Alex Freemanand Mark McKenziand Joe Scaleand Tim Reemand Walker Zimmerman
I just missed: Max Erfestenand Cameron Carter Vicarsand John Tolkinand Auston is reliable
Fate and my grandfather locks from the outside, if they are healthy. The same for the Richards medium. But who will be the Richards partner in the middle next summer? Currently, Miles Robinson may be the front filter by default. But this can definitely change from now to June.
Promotion from ’22?: TBD. Gidi has certainly improved since Qatar, as he created himself as one of the best left -wing Premier League appearances. Amid a strong season with Crystal Palace, which included winning the FA Cup, Richards may be upgraded over the past 2022 at the beginning of Zimmerman. But Reem was at the height of his powers in Qatar, and Dest has not yet returned to full fitness since he underwent ACL surgery 13 months ago.
Midfielders
Tyler Adams and Weston McKini are expected to play the championship in the Usmnt midfield again. (Photo by Robin Allam/ISI Pictures/Gety Pictures)
Midfielders contract: Tyler Adamsand Weston McKini
Reserve versions: Johnny Cardosoand Yunus Moussaand Tanman Tasman
I just missed: Busio Gianlucaand Edidan Morris
Adams and Makini did not have the best offer during the Nations League Finals in March, but Poittino may need both powerful in this field if the Americans will come next summer. However, Cardoso can push one of these two to the bench if he continues to improve at a pace – and if he can repeat his shape in Laliga in Spain while wearing the USA summit.
Promotion from ’22?: Yes. While Adams was afflicted with an injury during the 2026 round, he was excellent in the Bournemouth team in the Premier League last season. At the age of twenty -seven, he will only enter next summer. The same applies to McKennie, which was one of the best midfielders in Italy for two consecutive sites with Juventus.
Diego Luna was one of the few luminous points for USMnt this year.
The attacking midfielder: Diego Luna
Backup: Geo Reina
I just missed: Jack Mcally
One of the few bright points in March, Luna seems about to be the main USMnt playmaker during the Gold Cup with Rina with Borussia Dortmund in the club’s World Cup. Will you be Rina in this place where he was available? Perhaps not, given the scarcity of playing with BVB last season. But we expect him to find a new club as it can display it regularly before the World Cup.
Promotion from ’22?: us. Greg Berhalter did not really have a playmaker in the mid -four years; Osmnt coach at the time, Adams and Makini, with more box type to the box in Yunus Moussa. This has shown, as the accumulation of the three objectives of the Americans in Qatar began on the wings.
forward
Christian Polisic starts from a professional year with Milan. (Photo by Robin Allam/ISI Pictures/Gety Pictures)
The wings (RL): Tim Wayand Christian Polisic
Reserve versions: Brenden Aronsonand Tellman ownerand Haji Wright
I just missed: Paxten aaronsonand Damyion Downsand Queen Sullivan
Obviously on Polisic. Another beginning when weah is valid, Weah should slip into the same role that he was running in 2022 when he scored the first goal of the Americans in Qatar. Aronson spent last season in the middle of Leeds United, but it is likely to return to the wing now after Leeds returned to the Premier League. It can enhance the Usmnt Tyne with a strong golden cup and then another great campaign with the Dutch heroes PSV. Meanwhile, Wright – another World Cup top scorer – fill the attacker.
Promotion from ’22?: Yes. After moving to Milan, Polisic starts the two best seasons in his career to a large extent and can take another step forward in 2025-26. Meanwhile, Weah jumped to a level when he moved from Lille in France to Juventus in 2023. It will become more experienced next summer after participating in the FIFA World Cup and another Champions League campaign.
Ricardo Bibi has achieved 18 goals in all competitions with PSV last season. (Photo photo Joe Bouetz/ISI/Getty Pictures)
The attacker: Ricardo Bibi
Reserve versions: Voline Balogonand Patrick Ajmang
I just missed: Josh Sargentand Brian White
Bibi won the mission late last year with a set of goals in two camps in Bochitino, then continued his heavy ways for PSV before harming his knee. Balogun, whose injury has prevented his participation in Pochittino at all, must be to the mix this season. Then there is Ageemang, which has almost left anywhere to become the United States regularly in 2025.
Promotion from ’22?: Yes. Berhlater started three different players in this place four years ago. If Bibi chose the place where he stopped before his knee in the Champions League match in Liverpool last winter – Bibi scored the winner before leaving the stadium – the job should be alone next summer. The ratio of Rangy Texan to the minute was outside the plans in two seasons with the PSV, which is expected to start full -time his next campaign.
Doug Macinterre is a soccer correspondent for Fox Sport who covered US National teams for men and women at the FIFA World Cup on five continents. Follow it @Bydougmcintyre.

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