Pochettino reiterates no player can “feel safe” about USMNT World Cup spots – SBI Soccer

CHESTER, Pa. – Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the U.S. men’s national team, reaffirmed his position that roster spots for the 2026 World Cup are not guaranteed.

Pochettino was on the podium on Friday ahead of the USMNT’s penultimate match of 2025, a home match against Paraguay on Saturday evening at Subaru Park. The Argentina head coach is preparing his side for the final two matches of the year before the calendar switches to five months until the World Cup schedule begins.

Many of the USMNT’s star players are unavailable this month, including forward Christian Pulisic, defenders Antonee Robinson and Chris Richards, and midfielders Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman. Their absence has opened the door for the likes of Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Max Arfsten, Auston Trusty and Tanner Tessmann to boost their shares ahead of the new year.

Pochettino shared his belief in giving every player the opportunity to prove themselves, while also admitting that the program itself is bigger than just its stars.

“For me, these are the players who deserve to be here today, and they are the players we want to see. They are the players who are our choice, our selection,” Pochettino said during his pre-match press conference on Friday. “And then no one can feel safe or feel that it will be that way [on the roster]even the names you say; Pulisic or Tyler Adams. I think the federation is bigger than the names out there [in] the national team.

“It is a great opportunity at the moment when we decide to choose another player to choose another player,” he added. “That player has to show up and stand up and say, ‘Yes, we also have the chance to be part of the squad for the next World Cup.’”

The USMNT’s final two opponents of 2025 have already booked their spots for next summer’s competition, while their schedule beyond that is unknown. After Tuesday’s clash with Uruguay in Tampa, Florida, Pochettino’s squad will not reunite until FIFA’s March window, before their final stint in June, two weeks before the World Cup schedule begins.

Veteran defender Tim Ream, the oldest member of the squad, is one of several players aiming to return to the World Cup after his 2022 appearance. While many star players may not be in camp, Ream believes their absence doesn’t change too much in terms of each player’s individual goals and the added energy during training.

“Every player has their own goals in mind, but those goals have to fit with what Mauricio wants and what the staff wants and guys have opportunities to come in and impress and possibly help their case to be part of the team going to the World Cup,” Ream said.

“There is a little more spice in the training,” he added. “There’s intensity, there’s more aggressiveness. Guys are doing everything they can to be part of the team, and I think as we’ve gotten closer and closer together, you see that more and more, and that’s a good thing. Guys want to be part of the group and be part of the team and be part of a World Cup at home.”