Five biggest USMNT World Cup roster snubs: Who missed out on Pochettino's squad?
· Yahoo Sports
Mauricio Pochettino has announced his United States men's national team roster for the 2026 World Cup, with the manager hoping he has the right mix of players.
As always, though, there are players fans hoped to see on the list who may have been able to help the U.S. navigate the challenges of a home World Cup, one of the most important tournaments in the history of men's soccer in the country.
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Unlike in 2014, when U.S. legend Landon Donovan was left off the squad, or in 2022 when up-and-coming forward Ricardo Pepi looked a certain inclusion but missed out on Gregg Berhalter's squad, there is not a headline shock, a player who most in the U.S. Soccer community expected to be included who is left off.
Even so, here are five players who missed the cut and will be rooting the team on from home this summer, even if they had a strong case to make the list:
Tanner Tessmann - midfielder, Lyon
The 24-year-old midfielder showed his versatility with Lyon this season, operating as a makeshift center back when he wasn't in the middle. He also played 372 minutes for the U.S. across six matches in 2025 and made the March roster, the last call-up before the final list was revealed.
Tessmann's season ended early because of a muscle injury, but he was expected to be fit for the World Cup. Instead, he is perhaps the most surprising name left off the list.
Diego Luna - attacking midfielder, Real Salt Lake
A dynamic attacker who was a key part of Pochettino's 2025 Gold Cup team, Luna told USA TODAY Sports last week that he was aware he was on the bubble. He earned praise from the manager when he stayed in a January 2025 friendly match despite a broken nose.
Yet, with a number of other attacking midfield and wide players in the mix for the team, Luna needed to continue to perform at a high level leading up to the tournament. An ill-timed muscle injury kept him off the March roster, and Luna won't return until after the World Cup.
Aidan Morris - midfielder, Middlesbrough
After Tessmann and Johnny Cardoso suffered injuries, the next man up on the midfield depth chart likely was Aidan Morris. The Columbus Crew alumnus was a fixture in the Middlesbrough midfield as the squad fell just short of promotion to the Premier League.
Morris seemed to have confidence from Pochettino, starting one of the October friendly matches and another in November, then making the March roster and starting against Portugal. But, ultimately, he was left off the final squad.
Zavier Gozo - winger, Real Salt Lake
There will be more World Cup rosters for the 19-year-old to try to make, and it's not a huge surprise to see him miss the squad. After all, Gozo is yet to make his senior debut with the U.S. after playing with nearly every U.S. youth national team.
Yet, his high-energy performances with Real Salt Lake, where he's scored six goals and provided five assists in 14 matches, led many analysts and ex-players to advocate for a surprise inclusion, especially given his ability to play as a winger and a wingback, two positions where depth would be welcomed on the squad.
His senior debut will have to wait for the next cycle.
Patrick Schulte - goalkeeper, Columbus Crew
The first two of three goalkeeper slots were essentially locked down with Matt Freese expected to start and Matt Turner, the starter in 2022, the back-up. So, the third goalkeeper spot was headed for either a veteran who would bring good vibes to the locker room or an up-and-comer who may be the future U.S. No. 1.
Schulte, who is 25, was in the latter category, having backstopped the U.S. at the 2024 Olympics and joining Pochettino's rosters on a number of occasions. However, in the end it's 22-year-old Chicago Fire goalkeeper Chris Brady who will have the experience of joining the goalkeeper room during the World Cup.
Yahoo Sports reported that the U.S. will have an additional pair of young goalkeepers in training, with FC Barcelona-based Diego Kochen and Andrew Rick of the Philadelphia Union set to join.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT World Cup roster snubs include Tanner Tessmann, Diego Luna