U.S. World Cup roster revealed early; two big surprises in midfield

The U.S. World Cup tournament begins in less than three weeks, and the American roster was leaked to The Guardian. The Athletic reported independently confirming a 26-player list with multiple sources, while U.S. Soccer planned a formal televised announcement in Manhattan and said the official release would come Tuesday. The leaked roster includes notable returning players from Qatar, such as Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Christian Pulisic, and Weston McKennie. It also features defenders Miles Robinson and Chris Richards, who missed the previous World Cup due to injury, and forward Ricardo Pepi, previously cut in 2022. The omissions include midfielders Tanner Tessmann and Diego Luna, both affected by club shutdowns or injuries. Chris Richards was confirmed despite a recent two-ligament left ankle tear, and the final roster must be filed to FIFA by June 1.

"The Athletic said it had independently confirmed the 26-player list with multiple sources. U.S. Soccer is scheduled to formally release the team in a nationally televised event in Manhattan this week. Contacted by The Times for comment Saturday a U.S. Soccer spokesman said, "What I can tell you is we will make the official announcement Tuesday.""

"But it's the roster, and not the way in which it was released, that is of most importance here and among the striking omissions are midfielders Tanner Tessmann and Diego Luna. Tessmann had been called into six training camps under U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino and was seen as a potential starter for the U.S. before being shut down by his French club, Lyon, at the end of the season, leaving his fitness for the World Cup in question."

"Luna, who plays in MLS for Real Salt Lake, also has been a regular under Pochettino, playing in 17 of the U.S. team's 18 games in 2025, scoring four goals and contributing four assists. But he missed time earlier this season because of a knee injury and sat out his club team's last two games with a muscle problem."

"Thirteen of the 26 players who were selected - including midfielders Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie - were on the U.S. team in Qatar four years ago. They will be joined by defenders Miles Robinson and Chris Richards, who missed the last World Cup to injury, and forward Ricardo Pepi, one of the final cuts in 2022."

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