Pochettino Banks on Star Power Over Form in Leaked USMNT World Cup Squad

Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup roster has leaked ahead of Tuesday's official announcement, revealing the Argentine manager's willingness to gamble on talent over current form for the home tournament. The inclusion of Alejandro Zendejas despite just 139 USMNT minutes since September and Gio Reyna with only 520 club minutes this season signals a clear philosophical stance that could define America's campaign.

The 26-man squad, obtained by The Guardian and confirmed by multiple sources, shows Pochettino prioritising certain player profiles over others who have impressed in recent camps. Most notably absent is Diego Luna, the Real Salt Lake midfielder who scored four goals in 17 appearances in 2025 and emerged as a breakout star under Pochettino's watch.

Pochettino's High-Stakes Gamble on Talent Over Form

The selection of Zendejas epitomises Pochettino's approach. Despite leading Club América's attack with 12 goals and seven assists in Liga MX, the 28-year-old winger has barely featured for the national team under the new regime.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Pochettino has given Zendejas just six appearances totalling 139 minutes, with his last shift coming on 9 September against Japan. Compare that to Luna's consistent involvement throughout the build-up:

• Luna: 17 appearances in 2025, four goals scored
• Luna: Four goals and two assists in seven MLS matches since 1 April
• Zendejas: Six appearances, 139 total minutes under Pochettino
• Zendejas: Last appearance three months before roster selection

The decision becomes even more puzzling considering Luna's recent form. Despite battling nagging knee and muscular issues, the 22-year-old has been electric for Real Salt Lake and featured prominently in Fox's promotional campaigns for the tournament.

Reyna's Inclusion Despite Limited Minutes

Perhaps no selection better illustrates Pochettino's philosophy than Gio Reyna. The Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder makes the squad despite playing just 520 minutes for his club this season. Pochettino has repeatedly praised the 23-year-old and made clear he would include him regardless of club form.

Pochettino has repeatedly praised the 23-year-old and singled him out as a player he's willing to include regardless of club form.

This represents a significant show of faith in a player whose international career has been overshadowed by the 2022 World Cup controversy involving his parents and former coach Gregg Berhalter.

The Reyna Redemption Arc and What It Means for Team Chemistry

Reyna's inclusion carries weight beyond tactical considerations. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he nearly got sent home for behavioural issues, sparking a prolonged public feud between his parents and then-coach Gregg Berhalter that dominated headlines for months.

Sebastian Berhalter Also Makes the Cut

In what could be seen as an olive branch or simply merit-based selection, Sebastian Berhalter – son of the former USMNT coach – has also made the roster. The Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder earned his spot through exceptional form:

• Made the MLS Best XI last year
• Led Vancouver to their first MLS Cup berth
• Guided the club to the Concacaf Champions Cup final
• Provides crucial dead-ball expertise

The presence of both Reyna and Berhalter on the same squad suggests Pochettino believes any lingering tensions can be managed. It's a calculated risk for a tournament where team chemistry could prove decisive.

Other Notable Omissions

Beyond Luna, several players who seemed destined for selection have missed out. Tanner Tessmann, the Lyon defensive midfielder who started 22 league matches this season, didn't make the cut despite being a regular in Pochettino's earlier camps.

Middlesbrough's Aidan Morris, who featured heavily in March friendlies against Portugal and Belgium, also misses out. His omission is particularly surprising given Johnny Cardoso's high-grade ankle injury earlier this month, which left the defensive midfield pool looking thin.

Winners, Losers, and the Betting Implications of These Selections

Pochettino's selections reveal clear preferences that bettors should note ahead of the tournament. The manager appears to favour technical ability and potential over current match fitness, which could impact team performance in several ways.

Winners Beyond the Obvious

Chris Brady represents one of the surprise inclusions. The 22-year-old Chicago Fire goalkeeper joins Matt Freese and Matt Turner despite never being capped at senior level. His selection over more experienced options suggests Pochettino values current form in the goalkeeping department at least.

The defensive corps benefits from extra numbers with 10 defenders selected. This includes Chris Richards, who makes the squad despite Crystal Palace announcing he would miss their league finale with torn ankle ligaments.

What This Means for Betting Markets

For those analysing USMNT matches, several factors emerge from these selections:

• Expect rotation in attacking positions given the talent-over-form approach
• Set-piece situations gain importance with Sebastian Berhalter's dead-ball expertise
• Only four central/defensive midfielders selected, suggesting vulnerability in transition
• Weston McKennie likely to play further forward after his March deployment

The inclusion of players lacking match fitness could impact first-half betting markets. Teams may start slowly as players like Reyna and Zendejas find their rhythm, potentially creating value in opposing teams' early goal markets.

Squad Composition by Experience

The roster splits evenly between experience and fresh faces: 13 players making their second World Cup appearance, with the other half comprising first-time selections. This balance suggests Pochettino aims to blend youthful energy with tournament know-how.

What Happens Next

Tuesday's official announcement in New York City will confirm these selections and likely provide Pochettino's first public explanation for his choices. The manager must now justify leaving out in-form players like Luna while backing those with limited recent action.

The real test comes when the tournament begins. If Reyna and Zendejas rediscover their best form on home soil, Pochettino's gamble pays off spectacularly. If match fitness proves decisive in a compressed tournament schedule, these selections could haunt the USMNT's home World Cup campaign.

For now, the leaked roster reveals a manager confident enough to back his judgment over conventional wisdom – a trait that could define America's 2026 World Cup journey for better or worse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Gio Reyna start for the USMNT at the World Cup? Despite limited club minutes, Pochettino's public backing suggests Reyna will feature prominently. He's likely to rotate with other attacking midfielders rather than start every match, given his recent lack of game time.

Why did Diego Luna miss out on the World Cup squad? Luna's omission surprised many after scoring four goals in 17 USMNT appearances in 2025. Pochettino appears to have prioritised other attacking options like Zendejas and Reyna, despite Luna's superior recent form and consistent national team involvement.

When does the USMNT play their first World Cup match? The official match schedule will be confirmed after the draw, but as co-hosts, the USMNT will play all group stage matches on home soil. The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Who are the surprise inclusions in the USMNT World Cup squad? Alejandro Zendejas leads the surprise selections despite minimal recent national team minutes. Chris Brady's inclusion as the third goalkeeper and Sebastian Berhalter's selection after never representing the US at youth level also raised eyebrows.

Is the USMNT World Cup roster official yet? The roster obtained by The Guardian has been confirmed as authentic by multiple sources. US Soccer will make the official announcement on Tuesday at a nationally televised event in New York City.

How many defenders did Pochettino select for the World Cup? Pochettino selected 10 defenders for the 26-man squad, suggesting he plans to rotate heavily or potentially use defensive formations. This includes Chris Richards, who makes the cut despite current ankle ligament damage.