USA announce final 26-man World Cup squad as five Premier League stars make the cut

United States manager Mauricio Pochettino has announced his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup - with five Premier League players making the cut.

The USMNT confirmed their squad at a special ceremony on Tuesday, where manager Pochettino then spoke in a press conference to explain his choices.

Among the key names picked include AC Milan star Christian Pulisic and Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams, while Gio Reyna has also made the squad.

The team will be captained by Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, who previously had a brief loan spell on loan at Leeds United during his last stint in the Premier League.

Adams was one of five active Premier League players to be included by Pochettino.

Newly-promoted Coventry striker Haji Wright is also involved and will look to play a key role at this summer's tournament.

Leeds midfielder Brendan Aaronson, Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards and Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson have also been picked as part of the 26-man contingent.

Richards did not join up with the rest of the squad at the launch event as he is preparing for Crystal Palace's Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.

That takes place in Istanbul on Wednesday night, with Richards hoping to be fit after he suffered an injury.

He did play a role in part of the session though, as he looks to help Palace to win gold in manager Oliver Glasner's last game in charge.

USA have been drawn in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia and Turkey at the 2026 World Cup, having qualified automatically as co-hosts.

USA World Cup squad in full

Goalkeepers: Matt Turner (New England Revolution), Matt Freese (New York City), Chris Brady (Chicago Fire)

Defenders: Sergino Dest (PSV), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Auston Trusty (Celtic), Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)

Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Brendan Aaronson (Leeds), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Alejandro Zendejas (Club America)

Forwards: Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach), Haji Wright (Coventry), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Tim Weah (Marseille)

What did Pochettino say?

Pochettino was asked to respond to reports that he emailed players to confirm whether or not they were being selected, rather than calling them.

"When I was a player, when I didn't make the roster, I didn't want my coach to call me," he said.

"The players who didn't make the roster, they don't want me to say I apologise.

"If I call, it's about myself. That is ****.

"That doesn't mean we don't care. Because we care a lot, we don't want to say nothing that would confuse the players."