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“Why not us?”
That’s the question U.S. men’s team manager Mauricio Pochettino is asking about the U.S.’s chances of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup. And with the 26 players selected for this summer’s tournament, we can go a step further and see who could start in the opening tournament on June 12 against Paraguay.
FOX Sports football analysts Alexi Lalas and Stu Holden along with reporters Doug McIntyre and Laken Litman give their starting XI predictions.
Go with a Back-Five setup
In goal, Lalas has Matt Freese over 2022 starter Matt Turner, a choice he acknowledges might not be the most popular, but one he would make anyway.
While some modern coaches prefer to refer to the formation as a “back-three,” Lalas explained on Tuesday’s episode of “Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union” after the guard reveals that the U.S. should embrace the defensive stability of a true back-five.
“A lot of times people say, ‘Oh, we play a back three.’ When in reality they play a back five. They just don’t want to say it because it sounds defeatist,” Lalas said. “But this is a back five.”
In theory, this structure would allow Antonee “Jedi” Robinson and Sergiño Dest to move forward as wing-backs, while anchoring the central defense with the trio of Tim Ream, Chris Richards and Alex Freeman.
In front of them, the Lalas field the proven, gritty pair of midfielders Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie.
Locking down the middle of the pitch would free up Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun to spearhead the attack alongside Tim Weah, who Lalas insists will remain in his traditional right-wing position rather than being asked to track back and defend.
Gio Reyna ‘Wrinkle’
Holden agreed on the defensive personnel, but threw a curveball into the center field space.
Instead of playing it safe with a standard double-pivot, Stu introduced a fascinating “wrinkle” by dropping Gio Reyna into a deeper, pace-setting role.
“Here’s my little wrinkle… I have Gio Reyna playing a little bit deeper,” Holden said. “He’s a guy that I want him to pass the ball forward from that position. I don’t think Tyler Adams is. It’s probably more likely, to be honest, that McKinnie would be further back and Reyna further forward.”
Backed by the safety net of three centre-backs, Holden suggests Adams could act as a lone pivot, pushing McKennie and Reyna higher when in possession.
Holden says the fluid 3-3-3-1 formation gives the USA exceptional tactical flexibility to break down low blocks.
Our FOX Sports football writers Doug McIntyre and Laken Litman also contributed their kickoff projections. Let’s look at their bid:
Adams, McKennie Man The Middle
There were a few surprises in Mauricio Pochettino’s final 26-man World Cup squad, including midfielders Tanner Tessman and Diego Luna who did not make the squad.
Both are dealing with injuries and it is unknown if that played into their omissions. Tessman was thought to be a potential starter, but with him not in the squad, Pochettino may only use a regular midfielder in Adams, with McKennie free to roam, as he has done with great success for club Juventus and for the US team.
He can also come back and defend, but it looks like Pochettino will opt to play three centre-backs with Robinson or Dest serving as wing backs coming forward. Balogun is the starting striker and this opening game against Paraguay is a huge opportunity to prove why he is No.1, with Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright fighting to get in there. – Sheet Litman
Is there more? Sergiño in attack
Pochettino’s selection is thin in the middle but deep on the flanks – an indication that the former Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea manager will play with three central defenders and two wing backs, pushing out another player, likely in the heart of the field.
This could put extra responsibility on defensive midfielder Tyler Adams, who will not want another ball-winner next to him. However, Pochettino is not concerned and notes that more players can be deployed centrally in addition to the deep-lying Adams, including reserves Sebastian Berhalter and Cristian Roldan.
Weah pairs with Jedi at full-backs, which would allow Dest to play more in a winger position up top, where Pochettino has used him in the past. Dest has always had a propensity to push forward and could provide support in an attack that already has playmakers Pulisic and McKennie. – Doug McIntyre
2026 FIFA World Cup: How to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread over three countries, the tournament will culminate 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 (70) and FS1 (34) with every game streaming live and on-demand on both FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, are televised in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opener between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will stream for free on Tubi, as will the USA’s June 12 opener against Paraguay (9 p.m. ET).
