The pressure is on for the U.S. men’s national team.

Ranked No. 16 in FIFA’s most recent global standings, the USMNT has much loftier goals as the World Cup returns to American soil for the first time since 1994.

USA’s lineup remains a work in progress ahead of Friday’s opener against Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) in Inglewood, Calif., but recent friendlies have offered a sense of how coach Mauricio Pochettino will deploy his starters and key reserves once the games begin to count.

Here are the top players you need to know from the United States’ 26-man roster before World Cup 2026 gets underway.

Matt Freese, goalkeeper

New York soccer fans are already familiar with Freese, the standout starting goalkeeper for NYCFC.

He seems poised to hold the same role for the USMNT, even though Freese had not been assured he was the starter as recently as Monday.

Matt Turner, who performed admirably for the U.S. during the 2022 World Cup, remains on the roster, but the momentum is with Freese, who played all 90 minutes in the team’s final tune-up — a 2-1 loss to Germany — over the weekend.

Freese would become the first MLS goalkeeper to start for the U.S. in the World Cup, breaking a lineage that’s featured English Premier League stars such as Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller and Tim Howard.

Chris Richards, center back

Richards, 26, is the USA’s top defender, but the Crystal Palace star has been nursing a significant left ankle injury — he tore two ligaments last month — in a pre-World Cup concern.

In a positive step, Richards practiced fully with the USMNT on Monday.

But Richards’ availability remains a question mark, as will his level of effectiveness should he manage to suit up.

If Richards isn’t close to form, the United States’ questionable backline becomes even more suspect.

Tim Ream, center back

At age 38, Ream is more than just an experienced voice for the USMNT.

He’s also likely to start at one of the center back positions, where his on-field leadership and passing will be important.

Ream, the oldest player on the roster, was named team captain for the World Cup — a role he’s relished under Pochettino.

But range remains a limitation for the veteran Ream, making it even more important to have Richards next to him.

Mark McKenzie, center back

The Bronx-born McKenzie is probably next on the depth chart, and he could even see some time alongside Richards and Ream in certain formations.

McKenzie, 27, of Toulouse FC started multiple friendlies for the U.S. in recent months, though he came in behind Miles Robinson, 29, over the weekend against Germany.

Between Richards’ health, Ream’s age and the uncertain roles of McKenzie and Robinson, center back is the USMNT’s most fluid position.

Antonee Robinson, left back

Nicknamed “Jedi,” Robinson is a defensive force for Fulham who demonstrated his aggressive playing style during a breakout 2024-25 campaign.

Robinson wasn’t as productive last season after returning from a 2025 knee surgery.

Still, the 28-year-old’s role is secure on the USMNT, even though he hasn’t played much for them.

Sergino Dest, right back

Dest is a versatile weapon for the U.S. with an ability to push the ball and set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Like others on this list, Dest has dealt with injuries — he tore an ACL in 2024 — but is back and has played well for PSV Eindhoven.

Alex Freeman, right back

When Dest was out, Freeman emerged as a solid player for the USMNT, including scoring twice in a friendly against Uruguay in November.

Now, Freeman — who recently transferred from the MLS’ Orlando City to the LaLiga club Villarreal — could now complement Dest on the right side of the field with his athleticism.

Tyler Adams, defensive midfielder

Adams has also struggled with injury in recent months, but even if his minutes must be managed, the AFC Bournemouth star is set to be among the USMNT’s most essential players.

That’s because Adams — who hails from Wappinger, N.Y. — can do a little bit of everything in the midfield.

He is the United States’ top option at the position, and at his best, he can cover up some holes for the backline behind him.

Malik Tillman, attacking midfielder

Tillman secured his standing with the USMNT during last year’s Gold Cup, though he hasn’t been as productive with the German club Bayer Leverkusen.

Even if he doesn’t start, Tillman figures to play a solid role for the USA during the World Cup.

Christian Pulisic, attacking midfielder

Pulisic remains the most recognizable name on the USMNT roster, even if his production hasn’t matched his star-powered profile of late.

His goal in a May 31 friendly against Senegal was Pulisic’s first in more than five months, snapping a drought that dated back to Dec. 28, when he last scored for AC Milan.

But Pulisic, 27, is one of the most-productive players in USMNT history, and with the nickname “Captain America,” he carries an especially heavy burden as the U.S. co-hosts this World Cup.

Brenden Aaronson, attacking midfielder

Aaronson appears poised to be one of the first players off the bench for the U.S., and his fresh legs could be a separator late in games.

His pressing ability in particular is an asset.

Weston McKennie, attacking midfielder

With five goals and five assists, McKennie delivered a career season for Juventus.

Now, the risk-taking McKennie will attempt to carry that hot play in the World Cup, where he and Adams offer strength in the middle.

Timothy Weah, midfielder/defender

Weah’s greatest ability is his versatility, as he’s spent considerable time at five different positions for Olympique Marseille.

The 26-year-old could play at least a couple for the USMNT.

Folarin Balogun, striker

At 24, Balogun is among the younger U.S. players, but he’s fresh off of a season in which he scored 13 goals for AS Monaco — good for fourth in France’s Ligue 1.

His scoring prowess makes him a key player in this World Cup.

Gio Reyna, attacking midfielder

Reyna may not be particularly high on the USMNT depth chart, but he’s certainly garnered his share of attention over the years.

That’s because at the 2022 World Cup, then-manager Gregg Berhalter hardly played Reyna and nearly sent him home from Qatar.

Berhalter and Reyna’s father, Claudio, were former USMNT teammates.

The scandal escalated when Berhalter was investigated for an alleged 1991 domestic violence incident involving his now-wife, Rosalind. Amid the probe, Reyna’s mother Daniella confirmed she was the one who informed U.S. Soccer of the alleged offense.

In January 2023, Berhalter admitted to kicking Rosalind during a public dispute. Berhalter remained the USMNT head coach until July 2024, when he was fired following the team’s early elimination at Copa América.

Last month, Reyna, 23, said the controversy was behind him.

Sebastian Berhalter, midfielder

The elder Berhalter may no longer be head coach, but his 25-year-old son made the World Cup roster for the first time.

Berhalter likely won’t be a starter in this tournament, but he did demonstrate his utility with multiple assists at the Gold Cup.

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