After being left out in March, the Club América winger is reportedly back in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for the World Cup squad.
Is Alejandro Zendejas going with USMNT to World Cup 2026? Roster twist for Club América star
Months after doubts emerged and controversy erupted over his omission from the March FIFA window for friendlies against Belgium and Portugal, Alejandro Zendejas is once again a major talking point around the USMNT.
Will Zendejas be in Pochettino’s USMNT roster?
According to multiple reports from outlets including The Guardian and The Athletic, the Club América winger is expected to be included in the final 26-man World Cup roster that Mauricio Pochettino will officially unveil this Tuesday.
Those same reports indicate that injuries and expected absences involving Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann ultimately pushed Pochettino and his staff toward bringing Zendejas back into the fold.
The situation marks a surprising turnaround for the América attacker. Following the backlash generated in Mexico after he failed to make the squad for the games against Belgium and Portugal, it appeared his World Cup hopes had faded. Now, however, optimism surrounding his inclusion has returned ahead of Tuesday’s announcement.
Zendejas finished the Liga MX campaign in outstanding form with Club América, and despite Las Águilas being eliminated earlier than expected in the quarterfinals, the No. 10 emerged as André Jardine’s most influential player during the closing stretch of the season.
That momentum, combined with recent reports suggesting Diego Luna will not make Pochettino’s final 26-player roster, appears to have reopened the door for the América star.
Pochettino never ruled out Zendejas
Back during the March international window, Mauricio Pochettino had already hinted that Zendejas remained firmly in contention, even after leaving him out of the squad at the time.
“The players who are not on this list does not mean they don’t have a chance to be on the final roster, and the players who are in this camp cannot think their place is guaranteed.
This is not the last opportunity. The opportunities remain open for the final roster. I know Alejandro very well, and I know he can adapt well to the dynamic of the group. The opportunity remains open for everyone,” Pochettino said at the time.
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