From Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie to Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent: Top 50 in USMNT 2026 World Cup player pool - ranked

He's had a stranglehold on this top spot for years now and it doesn't seem as if he'll relinquish it any time soon. Pulisic has been the best player at AC Milan, one of the game's most historic clubs, and he also continues to do the business whenever he's on the field for the USMNT.

For years, USMNT fans have dreamed of having a player at this level and, still just 26, it seems there are still further levels to reach for the American star.

His production slowed down towards the tail end of Fulham's season, but Robinson still put up insane numbers in the Premier League. Among the very best when it comes to assisting goals, Robinson is far from just an attacking threat, though, as the Fulham man is a true two-way player.

The USMNT missed him dearly in March and they'll be glad to have him back in the summer.

It had been a few years since the world saw the best of Adams, but he's certainly back now. A mainstay in the midfield for a solid Bournemouth team, Adams' tenacity is contagious as is his leadership.

There are other good midfielders in the pool, but none are quite like Adams, who has proven irreplaceable during those long injury spells.

From one midfielder to another, although this one has had to play a little bit of everywhere over the last few years. McKennie is Juventus' utility star, which has also made him one of the club's most valuable players.

He's shown an ability to impact games either as a No. 10, an 8, a 6 or as a wingback, making him a vital piece for a European giant. On the USMNT level, he's dangerous with the ball and on set pieces, which is why he's still so key to this team.

No USMNT centerback is playing at a higher level. The statistics show that Richards is a bona fide Premier League defender, which also makes him the USMNT's top option in a crowded position. There will seemingly be a fight to be his partner over the next year but it seems that, going forward, the Crystal Palace man is one of few locked into the XI.

His winter injury was unfortunate for club and country. But before that, Pepi was one of the most prolific strikers in Europe. The former FC Dallas star was running up goals for PSV, and he was also netting frequently for the USMNT.

Once healthy, he'll be battling several others for the striker spot. Based on his goal tally, Pepi looks to emerge as the guy on the road to 2026.

The USMNT winger brings an injection of pace to the team, but he brings so much more. His time at Juve has made him a more complete player, one who could also slot in at wingback should the U.S. ever go that route. Either way, Weah's ability to beat a defender and either score or cross makes him a valuable asset no matter where he is on the field.

Shoulder issues ruined most of this season, which is unfortunate, as this could have been a big campaign for the USMNT striker. Balogun has every tool needed to be a top striker, but his body let him down a bit this year. Still, there's plenty of reason for optimism when you look at a player who was one of the few American standouts at the Copa America in 2024.

PSV are easing him back into games, but USMNT fans will be thrilled to have Dest back to his best, whenever that is. A true modern attacking right-back, Dest has always combined so well with Weah, making that side of the field a handful for anyone tasked with defending it.

It'll be interesting to see how Pochettino uses him, given just how different he is to the other fullbacks in the pool.

Something hasn't quite clicked with the USMNT yet, with an extended scoring drought, but there's no denying his Championship goal record. Sargent is one of the best in that league and, realistically, there's a chance he won't be there much longer.

If he can find a way to translate that into USMNT goals, this striker competition will heat up.

He's the man of the moment and, right now, the rising star of this group. The Real Salt Lake midfielder has rapidly become a Pochettino favorite, and for good reason. His ability to create and his unrelenting desire to do so have endeared him to the new coach.

So, too, has his catalog of goals on the club level. The question is no longer if Luna is a USMNT player, it's if he's a USMNT starter.

His stock dipped over the last six months, but Musah is still just 22 years old. His season at AC Milan has proven that he still has things to work on on both sides of the ball, but the raw talent that made him such a big get for the USMNT remains. Musah needs refining, but even where he is now, he's a player who can contribute to any team in a variety of ways.

He's held down that right side admirably in Dest's absence, although he is a very different type of player. Able to play on the left, right or as part of a back three, Scally is such a solid defensive option for this USMNT group. He may not be as dynamic going forward as the other fullbacks in the pool, but he's certainly proven he can defend with the best of them both with the USMNT and with his club.

The Real Betis midfielder has a very real argument to be higher based on his club performances. He's been such a crucial piece of his club's Europa Conference League run while also putting in big performances on the big stages in La Liga. However, the USMNT has never seen the best of him so, until then, the other names ahead of him have a slight edge.

There's no doubt that Tillman is one of the Eredivisie's best. The only question is how long he'll be in the that league. It's clear that he has incredible potential and that potential has manifested itself in very real production in the Eredivisie. It remains to be seen, though, if he can seize the baton with the USMNT and become a bigger contributor going forward.

Another season, another title for the Celtic star, who continues to anchor the backline for the best team in Scotland. Playing at Celtic allows Carter-Vickers to play a different style of soccer, one more ball-dominant, which has helped him improve on that side of things.

Physically, he brings a presence, too, which is what makes him an intriguing option for the USMNT going forward.

McKenzie's move to Toulouse has helped raise his game, and that will keep him in the USMNT picture. He's made the occasional mistake with the U.S., which is why he hasn't locked down a starting spot. But McKenzie has the ability to play at the international level. Ligue 1 will continue to test him and, if he raises his game next season, he'll be in a good spot.

Turner is the USMNT's No. 1 goalkeeper, at least for now. His lack of playing time with Crystal Palace certainly doesn't help his case but, that one goal against Panama aside, Turner has largely held up his end of the bargain when in a USMNT shirt.

Still, he needs to play and, if he doesn't find a new club home during the summer transfer window, he'll be in a tough spot heading towards the World Cup.

His first season at Lyon has been a rollercoaster, on and off the field. Despite all of the chaos the club has created, Tessmann has generally done well to adapt to Ligue 1, battling his way into the XI throughout this first season in France.

Just 23, Tessmann still has a lot of room to grow as he looks to become a USMNT regular but he, like everyone else, will also have to see where Lyon stand after the season ends.

How do you even rank Reyna? He hasn't played nearly enough and he hasn't gotten any better since the 2022 World Cup - and it's worth repeating, didn't really play there, either. It's just impossible to truly write him off, though.

There's so much talent there and, despite the questions that have come up over the last few years, surely there has to be someone out there who can unlock it? Reyna will have to hope so, because, if not, his stock will keep fading.

After scoring 16 goals in 44 games for Coventry City last season, Wright showed he wasn't a one-season wonder by netting 12 in just 29 games this campaign. What makes him unique, too, is that he has played both centrally and out wide, which makes him such a solid depth option even if Pochettino doesn't have plans to start him.

An injury impacted him this season, which is why he played so few games, but Wright's record has him poised for an even bigger step forward next year.

He was left off of the March roster, and that will certainly feel like a wake-up call. Aaronson responded, though, scoring in his first game post-international break before then lifting the Championship title with Leeds.

Much of the focus is on what Aaronson can't do, although he has added goals to his game this season. It's important to focus on what he can, too, though, as his versatility makes him a good depth option, at the very least.

Zendejas is certainly doing everything he can to rise up this list. He's established himself as one of Liga MX's best players but, unfortunately for him, that wasn't quite enough to get him into the team in March.

His form dipped but he recently netted a huge brace for Club America, who could also end up playing in this summer's Club World Cup - they will meet LAFC in a playoff to replace Club Leon in the tournament.

If they don't, Zendejas might be with the USMNT in the Gold Cup. If America does get into the CWC, however, Zendejas might be in the shop window for a big move to Europe.

Who would have thought he'd still be here, honestly? Right now, Ream may very well still be the USMNT's starting centerback and, even at 37, his level seemingly hasn't dipped. He's part of a very good Charlotte FC team and has continued to be a vital veteran presence on the USMNT back line.

Given his age, though, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Pochettino give others a chance this summer to see if this team can finally find a successor.

The Vancouver Whitecaps star sneaks into the top 25 and - or more accurately, fired his way into this spot. With 13 goals in his first 17 games in all competitions this season, White is in incredible form, establishing himself as one of MLS' best.

He's also clearly impressed Pochettino, which means that, if he keeps it up on the club level, he'll have a real chance to stick around.

Here the ranking of the next 25, those who still hope to find their way into the USMNT roster:

26 - Patrick Schulte

27 - Auston Trusty

28 - Paxten Aaronson

29 - John Tolkin

30 - Kevin Paredes

31 - Gianluca Busio

32 - Zack Steffen

33 - Patrick Agyemang

34 - Aidan Morris

35 - Caleb Wiley

36 - Marlon Fossey

37 - Jack McGlynn

38 - Brian Gutierrez

39 - Cade Cowell

40 - Miles Robinson

41 - Kristoffer Lund

42 - Walker Zimmerman

43 - Max Arfsten

44 - Ethan Horvath

45 - Brandon Vazquez

46 - Noahkai Banks

47 - Benja Cremaschi

48 - Griffin Yow

49 - DeJuan Jones

50 - Diego Kochen