NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
With the U.S. men’s national team’s 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup confirmed Tuesday afternoon at Pier 17 in Manhattan, midfielder Diego Luna’s absence from Mauricio Pochettino’s squad is the most conspicuous.
After all, he was the centerpiece of several promotional ads, including Nike’s, ahead of the tournament
When the roster was leaked by several outlets over Memorial Day Weekend, Luna’s absence was among the biggest omissions given his work with the team and the fact that many thought he was a lock to represent the Stars and Stripes at home this summer.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Diego Luna of Real Salt Lake looks on during the MLS match against Houston Dynamo FC at America First Field in Sandy, Utah on May 13, 2026. (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
But Luna was not among the midfielders on the roster, which was made official Tuesday when he was not among the 26 men who walked out on the Pier 17 stage.
Meanwhile, Nike had used Luna as the focal point of their kit launches, showcasing the jerseys that Team USA will wear in the World Cup. The new set went viral, especially with Luna writing on her Instagram with a caption: “They never plan for a wild card. Espera lo inesperado.”
USMNT CAPTAIN TYLER ADAMS READY TO BE IN ‘PATRIOTIC MOOD’ TO PLAY AT HOME FOR 2026 FIFA World Cup
Luna, who could also have chosen to play for Mexico due to dual citizenship, is known to fans as a wild card. He became a fan favorite during the team’s 2025 Gold Cup run.
However, Pochettino, who managed his first World Cup with the USMNT, said back in March that the players currently on the roster during friendlies should not expect to be in the last 26 in the summer.
“The players that are on the roster today, they can’t believe they’re going to be on the final roster,” he said. “When we go to Atlanta, maybe we can take some pictures, prepare things for marketing and stuff like that, because it’s the last chance to do that kind of thing.
Diego Luna drives the ball during the second half of the Gold Cup match against Haiti at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, June 22, 2025. The United States won the match 2-1. (Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
It wasn’t that Luna wasn’t producing at the time for the USMNT. He appeared in 17 of 18 games in 2025 and became a breakout player, scoring four goals and collecting three assists during that span.
Luna, who plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer, suffered a knee injury during the March international window. However, he has played for his club seven times since then and at least 70 minutes in six of those games, making health a non-factor in this case.
DIEGO LUNA SCORES DOUBLE AS USMNT SECURE PLACE IN GOLD CUP FINAL
But the international window is crucial for any potential player looking to make their World Cup roster, and perhaps Luna’s absence contributed to Pochettino deciding on a different direction. Only the manager wants the answers to why Luna is off the list.
In addition to Nike, Luna also featured in Head & Shoulders ads as well as Panini, who included him among the featured players for their official World Cup sticker collection.
Diego Luna of Real Salt Lake rushes the ball upfield against Houston Dynamo FC during the second half at America First Field in Sandy, Utah on May 13, 2026. (Chris Gardner/NWSL)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
With Luna off the list, all eyes are on Gio Reyna, the 23-year-old from German club Borussia Mönchengladbach who many believe was put in his place. Reyna has experience playing over in Europe, which always weighs heavily at the World Cup, and he has a longer track record than Luna with the USMNT.
Watch 3 days of the FIFA World Cup free after 18/5 or before. Start your free trial or try it for free.
