NEW YORK CITY — U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino announced the 26-player roster for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at an event on Pier 17 in New York City on May 26, 2026. More than 1,500 fans attended the public unveiling, where each selected player walked from a green room to the stage as their name was called by broadcasters Alexi Lalas or Stu Holden.

Players held up Stripes-branded jerseys displaying their names and numbers during the ceremony. Matt Turner was the first player introduced, while Alex Zendejas, a dual national who debuted for the U.S. in 2023, was the last. Zendejas is on his first World Cup roster, and Turner, who played all four matches for the USMNT in the 2022 tournament in Qatar, returns for a second appearance.

“When you’re in a show like today, you realize what it means to be on the roster and be involved in the World Cup – it’s a dream come true,” Pochettino said. He added, “Because everyone that starts to play soccer, the dream is to play or be involved in a World Cup.”

Pochettino described how players received personalized videos in their inboxes to inform them of their selection. He said that making the roster is sufficient inspiration for the players, and no extra words were needed. He also mentioned recently learning the English phrase “over the moon,” which he said encapsulates how players felt upon learning they made the team.

Midfielder Weston McKennie reflected on the moment he learned of his inclusion. “Whenever you get the message that you’re named to the roster, that's another big moment where you realize it's starting,” he said. McKennie added, “Coming here and seeing the show that we have here and the outcome of all the fans coming, I think it'll start to hit me more now than ever.”

Forward Christian Pulisic said the atmosphere in New York made the reality of the tournament sink in. “Once I got here and was with the team, and I felt these fans, the support around [here], and the buzz around the World Cup is when I really started to feel it,” he said.

The U.S. begins group play in the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 12 against Paraguay in Los Angeles. The tournament final will be held in New York City. U.S. Soccer won the joint bid to host the event in 2018. The roster list had been leaked over the weekend before the official announcement.