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The 2022 World Cup may still be over five months away, but just one FIFA international window remains before the competition kicks off in Qatar. That leaves managers, including U.S. men’s national team coach Gregg Berhalter, with dwindling opportunities to make World Cup roster judgments based on in-person access and performance.
There is still the great unknown over whether World Cup rosters will remain the customary 23-man size or expand to 26, with a final, official ruling yet to be handed down. When talking before the recent camp, which concluded Tuesday night under chaotic circumstances in El Salvador, Berhalter indicated quite casually that he was anticipating expansion, which would make sense considering the schedule crunch on players at the club level and the constricted nature of this World Cup. That would yield managers a bit more leeway and flexibility, while also giving players on the roster bubble greater hope. Every little bit of help matters when taking into account all that goes into squad decisions.
