USMNT squad numbers: Who wears what jersey for the 2026 World Cup
USMNT jersey assignments are out for 2026, but what do squad numbers really tell us, if anything?
Rosters have been announced and squad numbers have been revealed, so it is completely normal if you have been struck down by World Cup fever. With the Champions League and Concacaf Champions Cup finals having taken place, it is now full steam ahead to World Cup 2026, which runs from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
We have a number of warm-up friendlies to get out of the way over the next 10 days or so, during which time we will get a better idea of who could line up for whom in the opening games of the tournament. Jersey numbers can also help guide us to a certain extent, albeit not as much as in years gone by when a lower number more clearly indicated a starting role.
USMNT jersey numbers raise early questions
The USMNT’s jersey numbers throw up a few interesting observations. Matt Freese has been tipped by plenty to be Mauricio Pochettino’s starting goalkeeper, yet Matt Turner has been handed the No. 1 jersey. How much should we read into that?
Despite only playing 34 minutes for the Stars and Stripes in the last year, Ricardo Pepi will wear the No. 9, although Folarin Balogun, No. 20, is surely more likely to start in attack?
Finally, does Alejandro Zendejas being given the No. 26 jersey mean he will be one of Pochettino’s last offensive options from the bench? There is probably enough evidence by now that that is not generally how it works.
World Cup 2026: USMNT squad numbers
1. Matt Turner
2. Sergiño Dest
3. Chris Richards
4. Tyler Adams
5. Antonee Robinson
6. Auston Trusty
7. Gio Reyna
8. Weston McKennie
9. Ricardo Pepi
10. Christian Pulisic
11. Brenden Aaronson
12. Miles Robinson
13. Tim Ream
14. Sebastian Berhalter
15. Cristian Roldan
16. Alex Freeman
17. Malik Tillman
18. Maximilian Arfsten
19. Haji Wright
20. Folarin Balogun
21. Tim Weah
22. Mark McKenzie
23. Joe Scally
24. Matt Freese
25. Chris Brady
26. Alejandro Zendejas
USMNT’s upcoming schedule
Friendlies against Senegal on May 31 and Germany on June 6 will help answer some of the above questions, although we will get definitive answers when the real action gets underway against Paraguay on June 12.
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