MARIETTA, Georgia — There was a moment not long ago when Antonee “Jedi” Robinson thought he could be out of the 2026 World Cup picture.
Injuries and setbacks have plagued the U.S. men’s national team and Fulham star fullback for about a year and a half, and with this summer’s tournament on home soil looming, he didn’t know if he’d have enough time to get back in the mix.
“Yeah,” Robinson bluntly told reporters on Friday during the USA’s training at the practice facility of MLS club Atlanta United when asked if missing the World Cup was on his mind.
But USA manager Mauricio Pochettino called Robinson up as part of the 27-man roster for March camp, which features matches against Belgium (Saturday) and Portugal (Tuesday) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This is the last training camp before Pochettino announces his final World Cup roster on May 26, so being with the squad now is important, especially for a guy like Robinson who hasn’t appeared for the national team since matches against Jamaica in November 2024.
Robinson sustained a knee injury in October 2024 during friendlies against Mexico and Panama that ultimately required surgery the following spring. It prevented him from playing with the USA at last year’s Concacaf Nations League semifinals in March, as well as the Gold Cup that summer. He was called up to the USA last October, but Robinson said he pulled himself out of camp because he wasn’t 100%. Robinson has played 15 of 31 Premier League matches for Fulham this season, including the last three.
(Photo by Izzy Poles – AMA/Getty Images)
He hopes to feature in Pochettino’s lineup this week.
“I’m fully fit at the moment, fully available for all games, all training,” Robinson said. “I’ve been able to get myself in pretty good shape. Back at the club, I’ve been available for everything. I haven’t missed any training sessions, and I’ve been sort of progressing how I’m feeling. [Now it’s] translating to enjoying video games and getting again as much as being sharp and being prepared.
“I really feel bodily good, again in kind and looking out ahead to hopefully getting an opportunity to try this on this camp.”
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Robinson began each match of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He’s been a dependable left again for membership and nation, was thought-about the highest left again within the Premier League final 12 months, and was voted U.S. Soccer’s male participant of the 12 months in 2024. When he missed the Nations League semis a 12 months in the past, teammates like Tim Ream spoke of how Robinson is “extraordinarily tough to switch.” For a participant of that stature, when wholesome, it will be wise to consider him as a shoo-in for a World Cup roster. However going by way of accidents created anxiousness for Robinson.
“There was numerous concern for me to be trustworthy,” Robinson stated. “I imply, clearly I had surgical procedure on my knee, the rehab didn’t go as easily as I hoped it will. Even once I got here again and I used to be attempting to coach and play, I nonetheless wasn’t fairly prepared.
“After which I got here out to my first camp in October and I couldn’t play. Needed to sort of take myself out, return to membership and nonetheless miss a while. So yeah, I imply, realistically I’ve not performed a U.S. sport for over a 12 months and a half now, I believe. So there was no kind of certainty on my finish that I used to be going to be match and obtainable and make it as a result of it simply appeared like there was sort of no gentle on the finish of the tunnel.”
(Picture by John Dorton/ISI Images/USSF/Getty Photos for USSF)
Robinson stated he utilized “numerous completely different strategies” to get by way of this low level. He sought exterior assist for rehab and completely different opinions on how he may change up what he was doing to get in higher bodily situation. He additionally acquired a sequence of injections to assist his damage heal. He stated Fulham was “actually good” at managing his load early within the season. He performed 9 video games for his membership in December and January earlier than taking a breath in February the place he sat out 4 video games – three of which he was on the bench and obtainable.
“After which clearly for myself, I attempt off the pitch to verify I’m doing as a lot as I can to be in the perfect bodily form,” Robinson stated, noting that he will get within the health club early earlier than follow to do all the pieces he must do as a way to practice. “And within the night once I put the youngsters to mattress, I’m doing extra stuff, coaching myself into good condition.
“It’s been a protracted highway, however I’m feeling actually good. I felt good in coaching this week, and I’m completely happy to be the place I’m now.”
The USA wants Robinson wholesome, given the uncertainty alongside the again line. Middle backs Miles Robinson and Chris Richards each missed coaching on Friday. Robinson suffered what Pochettino known as a “minor” groin damage earlier this week in coaching, whereas Richards reported to camp with a knee situation. Each are being held out of not less than Saturday’s sport vs. Belgium. In the meantime, proper again Sergino Dest was not known as up for this window after sustaining a hamstring damage in a membership match earlier this month.
“I’m actually excited to be again with the boys and that is sort of my final alternative to play video games earlier than the summer time with the workforce and present that I can nonetheless contribute to the nationwide workforce and do nicely,” Robinson stated. “So I’m hoping I get the prospect and provides all the pieces and put myself in a great spot.”
2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch
The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Unfold throughout three nations, the event will culminate with the ultimate on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 event matches will air reside throughout FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with each match streaming reside and on-demand inside each the FOX One and the FOX Sports activities apps.
