Why these 5 players will be essential to the United States’ World Cup hopes

If the United States men’s national team wants to make a long run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a lot will need to be accomplished. It starts with the team’s key players, many of whom will be playing in their second World Cup.

Of course, all 26 players who take the field for any team at the World Cup are important, but with this USA team, there are a few players who are essential for head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

There is simply no replacement for any of these players. If one of them can’t go, Pochettino will completely change the team’s way of playing or struggle with substitutes limited in their ability to fill roles. Let’s identify five that will be essential to us.

Age: 27
Club: AFC Bournemouth (English Premier League)

Throughout the cycle leading up to the 2022 World Cup, many questions surrounding Team USA have involved midfielder Tyler Adams. Who was his replacement and how could the team play without him? Four years later, the same questions persist. Many hoped Johnny Cardoso would be that pick, but he’s injured and never adjusts comfortably to that role, even when healthy. Pochettino controversially chose not to bring in Tanner Tessmann or Aidan Morris, who were potential options.

Adams has struggled with injuries over the years and the team has never looked comfortable when he’s not on the field. His absence was particularly noted in March when Team USA struggled to contain Belgium and Portugal.

(Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Even though Adams is no longer the team captain, as he was during the 2022 World Cup, he is the most indispensable player. There is no clear replacement for him on this roster, or even in the overall player pool. When Adams plays at his best, he helps cover up many of the team’s weaknesses. He can cover ground in transition defense. He can help protect the back line.

If Team USA wants to make a run and advance to the Round of 16, Adams is essential. He must stay healthy and avoid cards. If he’s not on the field, the team is in trouble.

Age: 26
Club: Crystal Palace (English Premier League)

After Adams, Chris Richards is the second most important player on Team USA. Central defense is a weakness for the U.S. team, and it’s a problem that’s been building for years. Over the past six years, national youth teams have not produced many top players in this position. Team USA had to use two overage center backs in the 2024 Olympics because there were few quality U-23 players. This is also the reason why Tim Ream, at 38 years old, is still the starter.

But Richards has been a rare bright spot among the pool of players in the middle of the backline. His club career with Crystal Palace has been very successful in recent years. He won the FA Cup in 2025. In May, he saw Crystal Palace win the Conference League title. Although he did not play in the final due to injury, he was important throughout the campaign.

(Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Richards missed the 2022 World Cup with a hamstring injury and various injuries have forced him to miss extended periods over the years. Currently, he is trying to recover from an ankle injury in time for the opener, although he said Wednesday he is ready to go. It was the same injury that forced him out of the Conference League finals.

The gap between Richards and the team’s next best center back is wide. This is a position where ambitious teams cannot afford to be weak. For Pochettino, Richards needs to be in top shape or close to it for the duration of the tournament.

Age: 27
Club: AC Milan (Italian Serie A)

The Hershey, Pennsylvania native is the most accomplished American player of all time at the club level and has scored many important goals over the years for the national team. He is the most feared offensive player on Team USA and is the offensive key to advancing to the round of 16. When Pulisic plays well, he elevates the rest of his teammates around him. Opposing teams need to focus more on his defense, which opens up space for others.

A big issue surrounding the national team throughout 2026 has been the Pulisic drought. It was not until the 3-2 friendly victory against Senegal on May 31 that Pulisic finally found the back of the net this calendar year, whether for club or country. The hope within the team is that once his slump is over, the goals and assists will come in droves.

Pulisic odds of winning the Ballon d’Or: +8000

Age: 28
Club: Fulham (English Premier League)

When healthy, Robinson has been among the best left-backs in the Premier League with Fulham. In recent years, there have been many concerns about whether Robinson would be ready for this tournament, as a right knee injury limited him until the end of the 2024-25 season and subsequent surgery failed to return him to the field for the start of the 2025-26 campaign. It was not until December that he returned for the Cottagers. When he played for Team USA in March, it was his first international appearance since 2024. We missed him dearly.

Robinson is an elite fullback in the modern game. He’s fast, he can cover a lot of ground in 90 minutes, he’s efficient on both sides of the ball and he reads the game so well that he’s rarely out of position.

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Robinson is irreplaceable for Pochettino. When he’s not on the field, the U.S. must play in a different tactical manner with multiple players filling the roles Robinson might normally play alone. Fortunately for Team USA, Robinson appears ready to compete in the World Cup and his goal against Germany on Saturday was one of the best goals the team has scored in years.

Age: 27
Club: Juventus (Italian Serie A)

Weston McKennie is by far the most versatile player in the entire US player pool, where he can play in midfield, either as a full-back or wing position. Throughout the 2025-26 season with Juventus, McKennie played many different roles and was one of the best players on the team. It was the final year of his contract and for periods it looked like Juventus were just going to let him go. Ultimately, the front office decided he was just too good and too unique to let go. In March, McKennie signed a lucrative new contract to stay in Turin.

(Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Pochettino appears to come to a similar conclusion with McKennie. It’s very difficult to find anyone else in the American player pool with such a wide variety of skills. At his best, he can score, create, win duels, defend and thrive in matches that become intense and physical.

The problem is that McKennie hasn’t always been at his best. The Texas native is often a bellwether for the team. When he plays well, the American team plays well. When he doesn’t do it, like in the 2024 Copa América or the 2025 Nations League final, the team doesn’t do it.

Pochettino has reason to be optimistic for McKennie at this World Cup. He has just had a good season with Juventus and McKennie often raises his level on the biggest stages, such as the 2022 World Cup.

FIFA World Cup 2026: how to watch

The World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live on FOX and FS1, with each game streamed live and on-demand in the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. The USMNT’s opening match against Paraguay will be streamed for free on Tubi.