USA at World Cup 2026: Squad, Group, Fixtures

The USA go into World Cup 2026 as co-hosts, with the tournament arriving on home soil for the first time since 1994. Under Mauricio Pochettino, the Stars and Stripes head into the finals with a squad shaped by a core who came through their first World Cup together in Qatar.

Home support, familiar surroundings and a Group D draw against Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye: there's plenty to follow. Here's everything you need on the USA's tournament, drawn together in one place.

USA's squad

Mauricio Pochettino has named his 26-man squad for the finals. It's the Argentine's first tournament in charge since taking the role in 2024, his first job in international football after a career spent managing in Europe.

Much of the group will be familiar to anyone who followed the USA in Qatar, with a core of players returning for a second World Cup, this time on home soil.

The squad is captained by 38-year-old Tim Ream, a former long-serving Fulham defender who brings the most experience of anyone in the group. Its standout attacking name is Christian Pulisic, the AC Milan forward having contributed a goal and two assists on his finals debut three years ago. Around them sits a settled spine, with Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams in central midfield, the latter having worn the armband in Qatar at just 23, and Gio Reyna adding a creative option in the attacking third.

The goalkeeping picture is one to watch. Matt Freese and Matt Turner are the leading candidates for the number one shirt, with Freese having featured in the USA's 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup run, and Chris Brady making up the trio.

In defence, Crystal Palace's Chris Richards is a key figure, though his preparation has been affected by an injury. The full-back areas look well stocked, with Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson the established names and Max Arfsten and Alex Freeman among the younger options pushing for minutes.

Further forward, Pochettino has attacking talent to call on in Pulisic, Reyna and Timothy Weah, with Folarin Balogun likely to lead the line. He's backed up by Ricardo Pepi, who missed out on the 2022 squad, and Haji Wright, who scored at that tournament.

The full squad

Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)

Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergiño Dest (PSV), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)

Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen)

Forwards: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Tim Weah (Marseille), Haji Wright (Coventry), Alejandro Zendejas (Club América)

With the squad settled, the focus turns to how Pochettino gets the best from his attacking talent and whether his defensive options stay fit across a demanding home tournament.

USA's group: Group D

The USA have been drawn in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye.

Paraguay bring South American know-how and a competitive edge. Australia are seasoned tournament campaigners with plenty of experience to call on. Türkiye arrive as a well-regarded side capable of testing anyone. As co-hosts, the USA will have home support behind them throughout the group.

Get out of the group as winners and the knockout draw looks one way; finish as runners-up and the path lines up differently. For the full fixture list, dates and kick-off times, see our World Cup 2026 schedule.

USA's three group games:

• USA vs. Paraguay

• USA vs. Australia

• Türkiye vs. USA

USA's route to the final

Reaching the latter stages of a home World Cup would be some occasion. The path the USA take through the knockouts depends where they finish in Group D, and on results elsewhere, but with the new Round of 32 now sitting ahead of the Round of 16, here's how the bracket lines up.

If USA win Group D

The USA would begin in the Round of 32 in the San Francisco Bay Area, against one of the third-placed qualifiers from Groups B, E, F, I or J. The Round of 16 would then take them to Seattle, to face the winners of a tie involving the Group G winners and a best third-placed side from Groups A, E, H, I or J.

The quarter-finals would follow in Los Angeles, before a semi-final in Dallas against a side from the other part of that half of the draw, and then the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July, against a team from the opposite half.

If USA finish second in Group D

The runners-up path looks a little different. The USA would open in the Round of 32 in Dallas against the Group G runners-up, then head to Atlanta in the Round of 16 to face an opponent from the Group H and Group J section of the draw.

The quarter-finals in Kansas City would follow, before a semi-final in Atlanta against a side from the other part of that half, and a place in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on 19 July, again against a team from the opposite half.

As co-hosts, the USA carry the weight and the lift of a home tournament, and the expanded format means more matches to navigate than ever before. Home advantage has shaped plenty of World Cups, and they'll hope it counts for something along the way.

Get into the action

A home World Cup is a rare occasion, and this summer is packed full of elite football. Take a look at our World Cup markets and see how you can get involved.

For even more content like this, why not check out the Bally Bet blog? You'll find a wide range of sports betting articles there, with how-to guides, explainers and event previews all ready and waiting for you to browse.

All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.