Why these 5 players will be crucial to USA’s World Cup hopes

If the USA Men’s National Team is going to make it far at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a lot has to go right. 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 American team there are a few players who are essential for head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

There are simply no replacements for any of these players. Should any of them be unable to go, Pochettino will either completely change how the team plays or they will struggle with substitutes who are limited in their ability to fill the roles. Let’s identify five that will be indispensable.

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

Throughout the cycle leading up to the 2022 World Cup, many questions surrounding the U.S. team involved midfielder Tyler Adams. Who was his backup 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 fits the role comfortably, 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 is not on the field. His absence was especially notable in March as the U.S. team struggled to contain Belgium and Portugal.

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

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

If the American team is to go out and run and advance in the knockouts, Adams is crucial. He needs to stay healthy and he needs to avoid cards. If he is 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 the American team. Central defense is a weakness for the American team, and it’s a problem that has been building for years. Over the past six years, youth national teams have not produced many top players in this position. The U.S. team had to use two over-age center backs at the 2024 Olympics because few quality U-23 players existed. It’s also one reason why, at age 38, Tim Ream is still a starter.

But Richards has been a rare bright spot among the pool of players in the center of the back line. 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 lift 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 Championships due to a hamstring injury, and various injuries have forced him to miss long stretches over the years. Right now, he’s currently trying to recover from an ankle injury in time for the opener, though he said Wednesday that he’s good to go. It’s the same injury that forced him out of the Conference League final.

The gap between Richards and the second best central defender on the team is wide. It is a position where ambitious teams cannot afford to be weak. For Pochettino, Richards must be at or close to full fitness throughout 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 US team’s most feared attacker and is the offensive key to a run into the knockout rounds. When Pulisic plays well, he lifts the rest of his teammates around him. Opposing teams have to focus more on defending him, which opens up space for others.

A major problem surrounding the national team throughout 2026 was Pulisic’s scoring drought. It wasn’t until the 3-2 friendly win over Senegal on May 31 that Pulisic finally found the back of the net this calendar year for either club or country. The hope among the team is that the goals and assists will come in droves once he falls over.

Pulisic odds to win Ballon d’Or: +8000

Age: 28
Club: Fulham (English Premier League)

Whenever healthy, Robinson has been among the best left-backs in the Premier League with Fulham. In recent years, there has been considerable concern over whether Robinson would be ready for this tournament, as an injury to his right knee limited him at the end of the 2024–25 season and a subsequent operation failed to get him back on the field for the start of the 2025–26 campaign. It wasn’t until December when he returned to the cabins. When he played for the US team in March, it was his first international game since 2024. He was sorely missed.

Robinson is an elite back in the modern game. He is quick, he can cover a lot of ground over 90 minutes, he is effective on both sides of the ball and he reads the game so well that he is 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. has to play differently tactically, with more players filling roles that Robinson can usually do alone. Fortunately for Team USA, Robinson looks ready to go to the World Cup, and his goal against Germany on Saturday was one of the best 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 American player pool, where he can play across the midfield, either fullback or wing position. Throughout the 2025–26 season with Juventus, McKennie appeared in many different roles and was one of the team’s best players. It was the last year of his contract and for a long time it seemed as if Juventus would simply let him go. Ultimately, the front office decided he was simply too good and too unique to pass up. In March, McKennie signed a lucrative new contract to stay in Turin.

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

Pochettino appears to be reaching a similar conclusion with McKennie. It is very difficult to find another in the American player pool who has as many different skills. At his best, he can score, create, win duels, defend and thrive in matches that become intense and physical.

The concern 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, such as at the Copa América 2024 or 2025 Nations League finals, the team doesn’t.

Pochettino has reasons to be optimistic for McKennie at this World Cup. Coming off a strong season with Juventus, McKennie often raises his level on the biggest stages, such as the 2022 World Cup.

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 games will be broadcast live across FOX and FS1 with every game streaming live and on-demand on both the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. The USMNT’s opening match against Paraguay will be streamed for free on Tubi.