U.S. men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino said that it will be “difficult” for players not currently in the USMNT picture to crack his 2026 World Cup squad, with only four friendly matches remaining until the opener against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles.
The 53-year-old manager told reporters Thursday that he and his staff have assessed around 70 players since he took the role in 2024, but that it would take something exceptional for any new players to make their way into the 26-man roster that will play as a host nation alongside Canada and Mexico at this summer’s World Cup.
