Pochettino Expands USMNT Roster for Final World Cup Auditions

ATLANTA (Azat TV) – U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has called in a 27-player squad for the team’s final international training camp before the 2026 FIFA World Cup roster announcement. The camp, which begins in Atlanta on March 22, will feature high-stakes friendlies against top-10 ranked opponents Belgium and Portugal, serving as the definitive evaluation period for the program’s depth and tactical flexibility.

Evaluating Squad Depth Against Elite Competition

With only three months remaining before the World Cup kicks off on home soil, Pochettino is utilizing this extended roster to test players against the world’s elite. The matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on March 31 represent the final opportunities for fringe players to secure their spots on the tournament roster. According to U.S. Soccer, the coaching staff has spent the last 18 months rotating players to build a squad capable of adapting to diverse styles, and these games are being treated as simulations of the pressure the team will face this summer.

Key Roster Developments: Reyna and Adams

The roster reveal featured notable decisions regarding player fitness and form. Midfielder Gio Reyna has been included in the squad despite logging minimal minutes for Borussia Mönchengladbach over the last two months. His presence signals Pochettino’s continued reliance on his creative potential as a tactical variable. Conversely, the squad is without AFC Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams, who remains sidelined with an undisclosed injury. His absence has opened pathways for other midfielders, including Sebastian Berhalter and Aidan Morris, to prove their value in the engine room.

Tactical Evolution and Returning Veterans

The squad reflects a mix of established stars and critical returnees. Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Chris Richards headline the group, providing a core of European-tested experience. A major boost comes in the return of defender Antonee Robinson, who missed all international duty in 2025 due to a knee injury. His return provides stability to the defensive line, a key area of focus for the staff as they finalize their defensive structure. ESPN reports that the intensity of the upcoming matches, combined with the competition for limited roster spots, has created an environment where internal competition is at its peak.

The strategic inclusion of a larger 27-man group indicates that the coaching staff is prioritizing high-intensity internal competition over individual status, aiming to identify which players can maintain performance levels against top-tier European opposition as a proxy for the high-pressure environment of a home World Cup.