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USMNT using Europe as a nursery ahead of 2026 World Cup

As we creep closer to the 2026 World Cup in the States, plenty of young players are coming through the ranks across Europe.

As we creep closer to the 2026 World Cup in the States, plenty of young players are coming through the ranks across Europe.
Jennifer LorenziniREUTERS

Since the United States was announced as one of the venues for the 2026 World Cup, the country began a project that consists mainly of exporting many of its players to Europe for development.

With two weeks to go before the winter transfer window closes, the United States has managed to sign two more players in Europe. Esmir Bajraktarevic, the USYNT’s U-20 gem, who at the age of 19 became a new player for PSV Eindhoven, and central defender Matai Akinmboni, a central defender who signed with Bournemouth.

In addition to the two mentioned above, another U.S. youth player who could make the leap in the winter market is John Tolkin, left back for the New York Red Bulls, who according to Tom Bogert has offers from two German teams, as well as clubs in Belgium and Italy.

Plenty of US players making their mark in Europe

There are currently 34 U.S. players among the top six leagues in Europe - Spain (2), England (5), Italy (5), Germany (9), France (6) and the Netherlands (7). Since 2024, at least 14 U.S. players have left for Europe, some successfully staying and others waiting for an opportunity to showcase themselves.

Of the 34 players the United States currently has in Europe, 21 are under the age of 25 and many have established themselves in the Stars and Stripes national team.

But that’s not all. In addition, the North American side also has a large number of players in the academies of some of Europe’s top league clubs.

According to figures from Transfermarkt, 30 players with U.S. nationality are in one of the academies of those leagues, including Keyrol Figueroa, who is currently at Liverpool; three Barcelona players: Adrian Gil, Diego Kochen and Pedro Soma, as well as Manu Romero, a 15-year-old who is training in the academy of Real Madrid.

SEE ALSO: Pochettino picks his squad for the games against Venezuela and Costa Rica

US nationals playing in Europe:

-Cole Campbell (Borussia Dortmund) 18-years-old

-Noahkai Banks (Augsburg) 18-years-old

-Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg) 21-years-old

-Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach) 22-years-old

-Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Dortmund) 22-years-old

-James Sands (St. Pauli) 24-years-old

-Lennard Maloney (Heidenheim) 25-years-old

-Chris Richards (Crystal Palace) 24-years-old

-Tyler Adams (Bournemouth) 25-years-old

-Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis) 23-years-old

-Esmir Bajraktarevic (PSV) 19-years-old

-Paxten Aaronson (Utrecht) 21-years-old

-Malik Tillman (PSV) 22-years-old

-Ricardo Pepi (PSV) 22-years-old

-Sergiño Dest (PSV) 24-years-old

-Anthony Fontana (PEC Zwolle) 25-years-old

-Yunus Musah (AC Milan) 22-years-old

-Gianluca Busio (Venezia) 22-years-old

-Timothy Weah (Juventus) 24-years-old

-Caleb Wiley (Strasbourg) 20-years-old

-Tanner Tessmann (Lyon) 23-years-old

-Mark McKenzie (Toulouse) 25-years-old

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