Sources: Reyna in, Tessmann out as USMNT names World Cup squad

United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino has selected his 26-man roster for the upcoming World Cup, with Borussia Mönchengladbach duo Gio Reyna and Joe Scally as well as Club América attacker Alejandro Zendejas among the notable inclusions, sources confirmed to ESPN.

The roster, which was first reported by The Guardian, will be officially unveiled Tuesday at an event in New York City.

– 2026 World Cup injuries tracker: Concern for USMNT’s Richards
– World Cup 2026 kit ranking
– All World Cup squads announced so far

AC Milan attacker Christian Pulisic, Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie and Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams are included as expected. Overall 13 U.S. players will be taking part in their first World Cup.

Reyna also made the team, as first reported by The Athletic, despite the attacker failing to start a game for his club since December. But such is Reyna’s creativity, and ability to deliver the unexpected, that Pochettino ultimately decided to include him in the roster.

Arguably the biggest surprise was the omission of Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann. Tessmann had been shut down by Lyon because of what was reported to be a muscle injury, but he was expected to recover in time for the World Cup.

Pochettino’s history with the U.S. has been to err on the side of caution when it came to injuries, and he has shown no hesitation in the past to leave players off of a U.S. roster if he felt they weren’t fit. That appears to be the case here.

Otherwise, the roster mirrors ESPN’s final USMNT Big Board that was published Friday. Zendejas made a late push with some impressive displays for América in the Liga MX playoffs, with four goals and two assists over his last five games of the season.

Zendejas’ inclusion is likely the main reason why there was no room for Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna, who was presumed to be a favorite of…