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U.S. Men’s National Team coach Mauricio Pochettino will announce his full 26-man World Cup roster on May 26, and he will be forced to make some tough decisions.
USA and Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan, who was selected for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, joined First Things First to discuss his feelings ahead of Pochettino’s final decision next month.
“There’s a lot of pressure in it,” Roldan said on Wednesday’s edition of “First Things First.” “I feel like this time I feel like I have a lot more to lose just because I’ve gotten more starts with the national team over the last six months. I’m eager, I’m excited, I’m excited, I’m ready for this to get going and hopefully give myself the best shot to make that squad.”
Roldan has quickly become Pochettino’s favorite, playing in eight of the USA’s last 10 games and starting three. After the USA’s 2-1 win over Australia in October, in which Roldan recorded two assists, Pochettino called the 30-year-old midfielder the “perfect player”.
“[It’s] humbling,” said Roldan. “He has coached Messi, Neymar, Mbappé, these are world-class players. It’s a humbling experience … All in all, I’m just proud to be part of the team right now, to have an opportunity to go to the World Cup. When he says something like that, it definitely helps your case.”
The roster reveal will air live on FOX at 3 PM ET on May 26. WC 2026 starts on 11 June.
2026 FIFA World Cup: How to watch
The WC takes place from June 11-19. July 2026. Split across three countries, the tournament culminates with the final on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches airs live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every game streaming live and on-demand in both the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, will air in primetime across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
