With the United States confirming a place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the nightmare of the failed qualification in 2018 is officially put to bed, and USMNT fans can look forward to the big dance.
Now, the journey back to FIFA’s most iconic tournament begins.
While it was originally expected that 23 players would be afforded to the roster, but the official rulemaking body IFAB confirmed that rosters would be expanded to 26 players, allowing teams to bring three extra players than in the past. So who will be among the 26 players brought to soccer’s most coveted event, and who will be left out of the fold?
Manager Gregg Berhalter and his USMNT coaching staff will spend the next months readying the final list of talent, so we take a stab at predicting who will make the final roster in mid-November. In late October, he brought some domestic-based players eliminated from club competition into a mini-camp to keep them fit.
Of course, injuries will have a major say as to how this plays out. The USMNT players are getting healthier as October rolls along, but that could always change in a hurry with still just over a month to go before the World Cup begins.
MORE: Gregg Berhalter calls up 26 players for September friendlies vs. Japan & Saudi Arabia
USMNT World Cup roster for Qatar 2022
World Cup rosters previously consisted of 23 players, including three goalkeepers, but FIFA this year expanded rosters to 26, meaning Gregg Berhalter has a little more space to bring players who can contribute in various areas.
Whittling down the U.S. player pool to the 26 best — or, most useful — players is going to be extremely difficult for Berhalter, taking team chemistry into mind.
The starting lineup and main contributors seem relatively set, but every roster spot is valuable, and the goal will be to maximize every position with players who can contribute in multiple ways on and off the field.
So, with that in mind, here are the 26 players The Sporting News predicts to be on the World Cup roster.
MORE: Will Jordan Pefok or Josh Sargent make the final USMNT World Cup roster?
Predicted USMNT roster
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps | 2022 World Cup Qualifiers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Sean Johnson | NYCFC (USA) | 33 | 10 | 0 |
| GK | Zack Steffen | Middlesbrough (ENG)* | 27 | 29 | 6 |
| GK | Matt Turner | Arsenal (ENG) | 28 | 18 | 7 |
| DEF | Reggie Cannon | Boavista (POR) | 24 | 26 | 2 |
| DEF | Cameron Carter-Vickers | Celtic (SCO) | 24 | 10 | 0 |
| DEF | Sergino Dest | AC Milan (ITA) | 21 | 17 | 6 |
| DEF | Chris Richards | Crystal Palace (ENG) | 22 | 6 | 5 |
| DEF | Antonee Robinson | Fulham (ENG) | 25 | 28 | 13 |
| DEF | Sam Vines | Royal Antwerp (BEL) | 23 | 8 | 0 |
| DEF | DeAndre Yedlin | Inter Miami (USA) | 29 | 74 | 9 |
| DEF | Walker Zimmerman | Nashville SC (USA) | 29 | 31 | 10 |
| MID | Kellyn Acosta | LAFC (USA) | 27 | 52 | 13 |
| MID | Tyler Adams | Leeds United (ENG) | 23 | 19 | 13 |
| MID | Luca de la Torre | Celta Vigo (SPA) | 24 | 10 | 4 |
| MID | Weston McKennie | Juventus (ITA) | 24 | 34 | 7 |
| MID | Yunus Musah | Valencia (SPA) | 19 | 18 | 10 |
| MID | Gio Reyna | Borussia Dortmund (GER) | 19 | 11 | 3 |
| FWD | Brenden Aaronson | Leeds United (ENG) | 21 | 21 | 11 |
| FWD | Paul Arriola | FC Dallas (USA) | 27 | 46 | 5 |
| FWD | Jesus Ferreira | FC Dallas (USA) | 21 | 12 | 6 |
| FWD | Jordan Morris | Seattle Sounders (USA) | 27 | 47 | 6 |
| FWD | Jordan Pefok | Union Berlin (GER) | 26 | 9 | 3 |
| FWD | Ricardo Pepi | Groningen (NED)* | 19 | 12 | 10 |
| FWD | Christian Pulisic | Chelsea (ENG) | 24 | 50 | 10 |
| FWD | Timothy Weah | LOSC Lille (FRA) | 22 | 24 | 9 |
* On loan
USMNT stars, strengths, and weaknesses at 2022 World Cup
Stars
The unquestioned star of the USMNT team is Christian Pulisic, and his ability to stay healthy and carry the attack will determine how far the U.S. can advance at the World Cup. With his playing time at Chelsea diminished, he will need to energize himself ahead of the tournament in Qatar.
The Leeds United pair of Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson have also risen to significant prominence on this team, with their pressing abilities fitting the Gregg Berhalter system perfectly. Adams in particular is an engine in midfield, generating turnovers at the No. 6 position and building possession out of the back.
Weston McKennie is another fixture in the middle, and his partnership with Adams and Yunus Musah has affectionately been dubbed “MMA.” The absence of any of those three has proven costly to the U.S. and their health will be of critical importance. McKennie and Musah have developed a true No. 8 pivot, with Musah being in charge of progression while McKennie has a more box-to-box role.
Strengths
The midfield for the U.S. is the team’s clear strength. While it’s not particularly deep, the presence of the “MMA” trio is a massive boost for the U.S. and those three can match up against many of the world’s midfield players.
Full-back is also a position of strength, surprisingly, after years of lacking talent in that area. The presence of Antonee Robinson on the left and Sergino Dest on the right allows Gregg Berhalter to work his tactical approach around the pair’s strengths. The depth, however, is lacking significantly, and any injury to either player would prove a significant blow.
Youth is also an extremely important aspect of this U.S. squad, as they not only enter the 2022 World Cup with energy and exuberance, but also look towards the 2026 tournament that the U.S. will host alongside Canada and Mexico. Any success at the 2022 World Cup will give hope that this same group can build further on that foundation to be a true contender four years from now.
There is just one player on the projected roster who is 30 years old or above, third-string goalkeeper Sean Johnson, while the rest still have time in their careers. Only one player, DeAndre Yedlin, was part of the 2014 World Cup roster. Talented young players like Aaronson, Dest Gio Reyna, Tim Weah, and even 24-year-old Pulisic provide hope for a bright future.
The goalkeeping position was one with a few concerns not long ago, but it’s amazing what a few months will do to change that. Zack Steffan was stuck behind Ederson at Man City and Matt Turner was facing playing time concerns ahead of a move to Arsenal, and form heading into the World Cup was a real concern. However, Turner has seen time as Arsenal’s Cup goalkeeper and played extremely well, and Steffen has come back from a knee injury to reclaim his starting spot on loan at Middlesbrough. Things are looking up.
MORE: USA’s World Cup schedule & opponents in Qatar
Weaknesses
There are a significant number of question marks on this team heading into the World Cup.
Chief amongst those is the striker position. While Jesus Ferreira seems entrenched in the starting role, that’s largely due more to a lack of other options than Ferreira’s ability to claim the spot. Behind him is a mish-mash of in-form but inexperienced fringe players and preferred options struggling for form. Ricardo Pepi is still young, but his move to Augsburg has been disastrous, and he required a loan to the Netherlands to recover form. Jordan Pefok and Haji Wright are in great form at their clubs, but Berhalter seems resistant to call them in. Pefok’s absence from the September camp roster raised many eyebrows, but Gregg Berhalter made it clear that he’s not out of the running for a spot in Qatar. FC Cincinnati’s Brandon Vazquez is in great form for his club, but Berhalter’s harsh words made a spot for him unlikely, and that was confirmed by Vazquez himself who’s been told he’s out of the running.
Similarly, the center-back position is one of confusion for the United States. Walker Zimmerman is a clear starter, but alongside him it’s anyone’s guess. Miles Robinson was meant to be that guy, but a torn Achilles ended his chances for a spot in Qatar. Aaron Long is a preferred Berhalter option, but his poor play in MLS since returning from an injury could force Berhalter’s hand. Cameron Carter-Vickers has done well at Celtic, but is only recently back in the mix after years of toiling off the radar.
The rest of the center-back options provide little hope. Chris Richards was thought to be a young, talented option, but injuries have set him back significantly. Erik Palmer-Brown or Mark McKenzie could earn a spot based on club form, but their few national team appearances do not inspire confidence. Tim Ream had a brilliant start to the season at Fulham to re-insert the veteran into the conversation, but he wasn’t called in to September camp, and Gregg Berhalter’s explaination left Ream an unlikely option. James Sands is a fringe possibility after establishing a role with Rangers while also boasting the ability to play defensive midfield, but his form through September against Champions League competition saw him lose his starting spot at the club.
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USMNT starting lineup at the FIFA World Cup
So now that we have the final 26, how will they line up? The starting lineup is pretty self-explanatory, although there are still a few decisions to be made.
The biggest question comes between the pipes. With recent starting goalkeeper Matt Turner moving to Arsenal where he will compete for time and likely back up Aaron Ramsdale, that makes two USMNT goalkeepers with upper echelon Premier League teams…both as backups. Form is critical for goalkeepers, meaning it remains to be seen whether Steffen or Turner get enough minutes to consider themselves game ready for World Cup matches.
Another main question is at the third midfield position. Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, when healthy, are locks for the starting lineup. The final spot seemed more up in the air until Brenden Aaronson performed brilliantly at the head of the midfield trio throughout the summer international break, including an excellent performance against Morocco. Could this be the way to get all the best U.S. attacking players on the field at the same time?
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Predicted USMNT starting XI
Projected USMNT World Cup roster cuts
With just 26 spots available to Gregg Berhalter, some players will be left on the outside looking in.
Up front, it’s Ricardo Pepi who’s meteoric dip in club form means he’s on the outside looking in. Gyasi Zardes and Josh Sargent also fail to make the squad. Paul Arriola is a steady veteran option, and with a squeezed roster, he beats Jordan Morris to the backup spot. Josh Sargent has found new life at Norwich City in the Championship this season, but it’s likely too late to jockey himself into a roster spot.
The center-back battle is totally wide open, with Carter-Vickers, Palmer-Brown, McKenzie, and Richards all in contention. An end-of-season injury to Richards left him off the summer roster, and he hasn’t gained minutes since moving to Crystal Palace, while McKenzie hasn’t looked comfortable in any of his USMNT appearances to date. Carter-Vickers has played extremely well at Celtic and makes it, while Richards and Palmer-Brown will come down to the former’s health and form.
In midfield, Cristian Roldan appeared to have the lead for the final backup spot, but his groin injury dooms his World Cup chances, and Sebastian Lletget has done enough at his new club to snatch the role. Similarly, Djordje Mihailovic’s ankle injury over the summer seems to have sapped his MLS form, and he falls short.
At goalkeeper, Sean Johnson is an experienced option and a more viable on-field option in the event his talents are required, leaving Ethan Horvath as the odd man out. Veteran Brad Guzan tore his ACL with Atlanta United and will not be an option, and this World Cup comes just a bit too soon for young Gaga Slonina. Stefan Frei had a wonderful performance in the CONCACAF Champions League for Seattle, but still didn’t get a look in the summer even with an injury to Zack Steffen that saw Ethan Horvath as the next man called up.
MORE: Why they call Brenden Aaronson the “Medford Messi”
Projected USMNT World Cup roster cuts
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps | 2022 World Cup Qualifiers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Josh Cohen | Maccabi Haifa (ISR) | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| GK | Stefan Frei | Seattle Sounders (USA) | 36 | 0 | 0 |
| GK | Brad Guzan** | Atlanta United (USA) | 38 | 64 | 0 |
| GK | Ethan Horvath | Luton Town (ENG)* | 27 | 7 | 0 |
| GK | Gabriel Slonina | Chicago Fire (USA)* | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| DEF | George Bello | Arminia Bielefeld (GER) | 20 | 7 | 2 |
| DEF | Mark McKenzie | KRC Genk (BEL) | 23 | 8 | 2 |
| DEF | Shaq Moore | Nashville SC (USA) | 25 | 15 | 4 |
| DEF | Erik Palmer-Brown | Troyes (FRA) | 25 | 4 | 2 |
| DEF | Miles Robinson** | Atlanta United (USA) | 25 | 21 | 11 |
| DEF | James Sands | Rangers (SCO) | 22 | 7 | 1 |
| DEF | Joe Scally | Gladbach (GER) | 19 | 2 | 0 |
| MID | Sebastian Lletget | FC Dallas (USA) | 30 | 33 | 4 |
| MID | Djordje Mihailovic | CF Montreal (CAN) | 23 | 6 | 0 |
| MID | Cristian Roldan** | Seattle Sonders (USA) | 27 | 32 | 5 |
| MID | Malik Tillman | Rangers (SCO) | 20 | 2 | 0 |
| FWD | Konrad de la Fuente | Olympiakos (GRE)* | 21 | 3 | 2 |
| FWD | Matthew Hoppe | Middlesbrough (ENG) | 21 | 6 | 1 |
| FWD | Josh Sargent | Norwich City (ENG) | 22 | 19 | 3 |
| FWD | Brandon Vazquez | FC Cincinnati (USA) | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| FWD | Gyasi Zardes | Colorado Rapids (USA) | 31 | 68 | 5 |
* On loan
** Injured