United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino will announce his full 26-player World Cup roster on May 26, and he will be forced to make some difficult 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 roster decision within the next month.
“There’s a lot of pressure going into it,” Roldan said on Wednesday’s edition of “First Things First.” “I feel like this time around I feel like I have a lot more to lose, just because I’ve racked up a few more starts with the national team over the last six months. I’m eager, I’m excited, I’m anxious, I’m ready for this to get going and hopefully give myself the best shot of making that squad.”
Cristian Roldan on playing for USMNT, Pochettino calling him ‘the perfect player’, World Cup | FTF
Roldan has quickly become a favorite of Pochettino’s, playing in eight of the United States’ last 10 matches and starting three. Following 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,” Roldan mentioned. “He’s coached Messi, Neymar, Mbappé, these are world-class gamers. It’s a humbling expertise … Altogether, I’m simply proud to be a part of the group proper now, to have a possibility to go to the World Cup. When he says one thing like that, it undoubtedly helps your case.”
The roster reveal will probably be broadcast dwell on FOX at 3 p.m. ET on Might 26. The 2026 World Cup begins June 11.
2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch
The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Unfold throughout three international locations, the match will culminate with the ultimate on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 match matches will air dwell throughout FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with each match streaming dwell and on-demand inside each the FOX One and the FOX Sports activities apps. A document 40 matches, greater than one-third of the match, will air in prime time throughout FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
