Landon Donovan unveiled his 26-player roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting breakout stars Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter, and outlining key selections across all positions.
USMNT legend Landon Donovan has named the 26 players he would send to the 2026 FIFA World Cup if the tournament started today, highlighting recent standout performances from Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated, U.S. men’s national team icon Landon Donovan selected the 26 players he believes should be on the USMNT roster for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Donovan, who holds USMNT records for appearances and goals, made his selections following the team’s successful camp, including a 5–1 thrashing of Uruguay.
Donovan singled out two November standouts for special mention: Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter. Both players “scored and assisted goals this camp” and, in Donovan’s eyes, Reyna is “on a plane to California next summer.”
Berhalter, after a strong season with the Vancouver Whitecaps, has “played himself into a role as well after bossing a talented Uruguay side.”
In his selection, Donovan chose four center backs despite Coach Mauricio Pochettino’s recent tactical switch to a 3-4-3 formation.
Key players named include Christian Pulisic (AC Milan, 82 caps), Tyler Adams (Bournemouth, 52 caps), and Weston McKennie (Juventus, 62 caps).
Up front, the striker position is “straightforward,” with Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco, 23 caps) leading the line, supported by Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright as bench options. Balogun “cemented his status as the main man up top after scoring the game winner against Paraguay.”
Notably excluded from Donovan’s list were Yunus Musah and Joe Scally.