There are 438 days until the United States Men’s National Team walk onto the field for their first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and fans of the team are starting to see the edge of the horizon. It has the potential to be the biggest sporting event in the history of the world, and the United States, along with Canada and Mexico, will be the location of that history.
The USMNT will begin their quest to become the first host nation to lift the World Cup trophy since France did it in 1998, and to have that, they’ll need to play to the maximum of their ability, forming a team that is greater than the sum of its parts. They have to rise to the supreme challenge this World Cup presents. They have to play with tenacity, a sense of pride, and they’ll need some luck mixed in as well.
In a dream world, the USMNT will have a completely healthy roster to form the best team possible that can take on all challengers. That dream would see a team hit the field that is solid at every position, who have learned from the mistakes and missteps of the recent past and used it to become the best team they can possibly be, a team that can compete for the World Cup title.
So, what would the dream starting XI be for the United States for that first match on June 12, 2026 at SoFi Stadium in LA? There are a few options that head coach Mauricio Pochettino could go. Do you go for more offense, or do you think more defensively? Is it a case of selecting the guys, all things being equal in terms of health and availability, that are the most talented players we have or is it the ones that have performed the best on the international level? We examine what a dream starting XI would be for the United States in just over a year’s time.
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Goalkeeper: Matt Turner
Matt Turner has had a rough go of it, but if he can find a situation this summer where he is playing on a weekly basis, he will regain the sharpness that allowed him to secure the #1 spot during the 2021 Gold Cup. Other options here include Zack Steffen or Patrick Schulte, with a Gaga Slonina waiting in the wings.
Defenders: Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Sergiño Dest
Jedi Robinson and Sergiño Dest will lock down the fullback positions, with both a threat to go forward in the attack and overlap with the wings. The centerback pairing is the question. Chris Richards is likely the centerback with the best upside in the player pool, and if he can finally play to that potential, he’s the starter. Cameron Carter-Vickers can help the team play in the trenches if needed and can be the gritty centerback the team needs. Mark McKenzie is an option if you want someone a bit more athletic.
Midfielders: Tyler Adams (c), Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna
Tyler Adams is arguably the most indispensable player on the roster and should be the permanent captain moving forward. He captained the side during the 2022 World Cup and can be the quarterback of the team on offense and defense. Next to him, Weston McKennie can be the 8, moving forward on offense but also retreating to help with the defense. In a more attacking role, Gio Reyna is a player many think is the most talented in the player pool. If he can finally live up to his potential, his creativity in the middle can help the attack flow. Other options could be Yunus Musah if you want a more defensive-minded midfield, while Diego Luna’s rising stardom could be useful as a central attacking player.
Christian Pulisic on the left wing and Tim Weah on the right wing is a familiar sight for USMNT fans. Both of them have the ability to create offense on their own but also overlap with their teammates and find tight creases to sneak through and score. Their play is vital to the team’s successes.
Forward: Ricardo Pepi
Ricardo Pepi was left at home for the last World Cup, and he has a renewed chip on his shoulder. We want that juice on the field. He can create offense, and he’s also a poacher, which will be great for picking up loose balls in the penalty area and hammering them home. Other options here include Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent, or even Patrick Agyemang. But Pepi, with 13 goals in 33 USMNT caps, is the guy who is best set up to score goals with his teammates feeding him the ball or cleaning up rebounds inside the box.
The United States is continuing its preparations for the World Cup. Included in that must be the players continuing to get healthy and getting in positions where they are playing regularly for their club teams. They must renew their focus when on international duty and find the chip that’s big enough to put on their shoulder for motivation. That can help this dream starting XI be successful when they hit the field for their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
