Mauricio Pochettino has named his 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and it is a mix of battle-tested veterans and players coming into their own at exactly the right moment. The USA play in front of home crowds for the first time since 1994. Here are five players who could make the difference.

Christian Pulisic - The Star of the Show

There is no bigger name in American international men’s soccer right now. Pulisic, who plays for Serie A giants AC Milan, arrives at this tournament with 84 international caps and 32 goals for his country. He is the player opponents organise around and the one most likely to produce the moment that gets talked about for years. At his most dangerous with space in front of him - direct, quick, and clinical when the chance arrives.

The drill: inside forwards work on two core finishes - the far-post strike bending away from the goalkeeper, and the disguised effort pulled back across goal to the near post. Mark a channel with cones, drive to the edge of the area, and use the first touch to cut inside before releasing the shot early. The coaching emphasis is on shooting before fully composing yourself - the less time the goalkeeper has to set, the harder the save. A QUICKPLAY KICKSTER or Q-FOLD goal at the end of the channel gives you a proper target.

Tyler Adams - The Engine Room

Adams is the player who makes this team work. The Bournemouth midfielder wins the ball, distributes quickly, and covers the ground in behind that allows others to push forward. His composure under pressure and speed of decision-making are less visible than the forwards but arguably more important to how this side functions.

The drill: pressing systems rely on the press-and-distribute cycle - winning the ball and immediately switching it before the opposition can reorganise. Stand five yards from a QUICKPLAY rebounder, play a sharp pass into it, control the return in one touch, and redirect it. Keep going for 30 seconds at match pace.

Weston McKennie - The Box-to-Box Presence

McKennie brings physicality and energy to midfield that Pochettino values. The Juventus midfielder gets forward at the right moments, presses hard without the ball, and provides a consistent platform in the middle of the pitch - central to how the 4-3-3 functions across all three group games.

The drill: late run sessions use a trigger-based structure - the run begins only when the ball reaches the wide player, not before. Start from central midfield, wait for the ball to be played wide, then burst diagonally into the box and finish first time. The target area is the space between the six-yard box and the penalty spot. Use a QUICKPLAY rebounder for consistent service so the focus stays on timing the run rather than chasing a wayward ball.

Tim Weah - The Direct Wide Threat

Weah brings directness and pace to the right side of Pochettino's attack. Playing on loan for Olympique Marseille in Ligue 1 last season, he has sharpened his end product and is a more complete wide player than the version who featured in Qatar. His best work comes from driving at pace and getting the ball into dangerous areas quickly rather than over-elaborating.

The drill: wide players work on early delivery - getting the cross or cut-back in before defenders can adjust. Mark a channel with cones, drive to the byline at full pace, and deliver low and early into the goal area. One touch and a good ball beats two touches and a blocked cross. A QUICKPLAY KICKSTER goal at the far post gives you a target for the cut-back.

Gio Reyna - The Creative Spark

Reyna's inclusion is one of the more intriguing calls. His relationship with the national team has been complicated and his club form inconsistent. But when he plays with freedom, he is the most technically gifted player in the squad - the one who can unlock a defence with a single pass or carry.

The drill: creative players in tight spaces work on receive and release - controlling the ball in a congested area and distributing it before defenders can close down. Set up four cones in a two-yard square and work on receiving inside it, playing a one-touch pass off a QUICKPLAY rebounder, and turning to receive the return. Keep the sequence going for 30 seconds. The quality to develop is pre-scanning - knowing where the next pass goes before the ball arrives.

One to Watch: Folarin Balogun

Balogun had an excellent season at Monaco and has earned his place in the squad as a genuine striking option. He is sharp in the box, good with both feet, and brings a different profile to the forward line. If the USA need a goal from the bench in a knockout game, Balogun is the player most likely to be sent on to find it.

Get Set for June 12

The USA open their Group D campaign on 12 June against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. With home advantage and a genuinely exciting squad, this is the most anticipated American soccer summer in thirty years.