The United States men’s national team has finalized its 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup, with key inclusions and omissions now revealed, Alejandro Zendejas of Club América is among those selected, while Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann has been left out. The full list was obtained by The Guardian and confirmed by multiple sources, with the official announcement expected on Tuesday, May 26, during a nationally televised event in New York City.

Key Inclusions and Omissions

Among the notable inclusions is winger Alejandro Zendejas, who has not been part of the national team since September — his selection came at the expense of attacking midfielder Diego Luna, who played for Real Salt Lake and was expected to be in the squad. Zendejas’s inclusion was confirmed by The Athletic earlier, but the final roster now provides official confirmation.

Meanwhile, Tanner Tessmann, who was expected to compete for a central midfield spot, was left out, but According to USA Today, Tessmann has been dealing with a muscle injury, though it is unclear if this was the primary reason for his omission. Another player who missed the cut was Middlesbrough midfielder Aidan Morris, who had been in contention for a starting role.

Midfield and Defensive Selections

The USMNT has selected four central midfielders for the tournament: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, and Weston McKennie, Berhalter, the son of former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter, has earned a spot despite being on loan to Vancouver Whitecaps. This marks his first World Cup appearance.

Defensively, the team has a strong core, including Tim Ream, Chris Richards, and Antonee Robinson; Chris Richards, the team’s central defensive leader, has been included despite a recent ankle injury that had raised concerns about his availability. The squad also features four goalkeepers: Matt Turner, Chris Brady, Matt Freese, and, according to some sources, a third unnamed goalkeeper.

Forwards and Wingers

In the attacking third. Christian Pulisic and Brenden Aaronson headline a group that includes Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright — Gio Reyna, who had a controversial run during the 2022 World Cup, has also made the cut. Despite playing only 520 minutes for Borussia Mönchengladbach this season, Reyna has been praised by head coach Mauricio Pochettino and given a place on the roster.

Reyna’s inclusion comes amid lingering questions about his form and behavior. During the 2022 World Cup. He nearly was sent home for behavioral issues, and his parents later became involved in a public dispute with then-coach Gregg Berhalter. Despite this, Pochettino has expressed confidence in Reyna’s abilities and has stated he is willing to include him regardless of club form.

Alejandro Zendejas, who has been a consistent performer for Club América, adds depth to the wing, and his inclusion has been praised as a strong decision. Zendejas last played for the national team in September, and his return suggests a focus on fresh talent and attacking flair.

Several young players have also made the cut, including Malik Tillman, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen, and Joe Scally, who has been playing for Borussia Mönchengladbach. These selections reflect Pochettino’s strategy to blend experience with emerging talent as the USMNT prepares for the tournament, which will be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.