Donovan, Twellman, Pepi: Who are the USMNT's bigge...
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- U.S. men's national team will announce a 26‑player 2026 World Cup roster, narrowing from 91 players who earned caps since the 2022 tournament.
- Mauricio Pochettino (head coach since late 2024) warned that "no one can feel safe" about roster selection, emphasizing fluid decision‑making.
- Jozy Altidore told a podcast with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard that the roster cut‑down period is nerve‑racking for all players, whether they are shoo‑ins or bubble candidates.
- Landon Donovan was controversially left out of the 2014 World Cup squad by coach Jürgen Klinsmann, who cited sporting reasons and a winter sabbatical as justification.
Why it matters: Players who secure a spot gain the chance to compete in a home‑hosted World Cup and boost their market value, while those left out lose exposure and risk criticism, fueling media headlines.