USMNT 2026 World Cup big board 5.0: Predicting squad for March camp

Folarin Balogun's form for Monaco has put him in pole position to be the USMNT's No. 9 at the World Cup. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images)

The next way-station on the road to the World Cup -- the March international window -- is fast approaching. For players on the U.S. men's national team, it will be like arriving at base camp on Mt. Everest. The amount of work to get to that point has been immense. Now, who will get the chance to try to climb to the summit?

The March get-together marks the last time that the team will convene before the team's pre-World Cup camp in May, by which time the roster will likely be set. U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino has long approached his stewardship of the USMNT with an open mind when it comes to players. He has given opportunities up and down the depth chart, insisting that nobody's position is safe.

While the time for experimentation has long since passed, the upcoming window is the last time for players to make an impression directly in front of Pochettino. It will also provide an opportunity to sharpen things tactically. With that in mind, here's how the USMNT depth chart is playing out ahead of friendlies against Belgium on March 28, and Portugal on March 31.

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Goalkeepers (3)

Freese remains ensconced as the USMNT's starting goalkeeper, but the next month will be critical if that designation is to continue. He had some shaky moments in the season-opening 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy, but he was more consistent in last weekend's win over the Philadelphia Union. The NYCFC keeper has been solid in a USMNT shirt, but hasn't ever been relied upon to provide one of those "stood-on-his-head" performances. That speaks to how well at times, the U.S. had played in front of him, but it also explains the nagging doubts about Freese's game.

The bad news is that the Revs have lost their first two games with Turner in goal. The good news is that his goals prevented a mark of 1.39 xG from those two matches, which is good for sixth in the league. Returning to the Revolution has given Turner some valuable minutes, but it wasn't enough for him to get called up last November. It bears repeating that Turner's World Cup experience will likely come in handy, but Pochettino has made it clear he cares little about the past. A solid start to the MLS season will ensure that Turner is part of the present.

Columbus hasn't gotten off to the kind of start it wanted under new manager Henrik Rydström, with a loss and a draw from its first two matches. Schulte hasn't covered himself in glory in those matches either, though the amount of equity he has built up with Pochettino over the last matches should help his cause. A couple of solid outings over the next few weeks will solidify his spot.

Center backs (5)

Richards' return from a December foot laceration is now very much in the past. It's a good thing, too, as the center back remains a key player in a Palace side that has steadily been broken up. Richards' solid club form means he'll keep his spot at the top of the USMNT center back pecking order and should feature heavily in March. Friendlies against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo will provide a stern test.

Ream remains one of the USMNT's wise, old heads (emphasis on the wise), and his leadership makes him a key locker room presence for the team and Pochettino. He has looked somewhat vulnerable in the season's opening weeks, which will be something to keep an eye on going forward.

McKenzie is in the running to surpass the career high 2,497 minutes for Toulouse he set last year, having already passed the 1,600-minute mark, though he sat out last weekend's match due to the accumulation of yellow cards. His consistent playing time has him solidly in the running for the U.S. roster where, depending on how Pochettino arranges his back line, he could find himself in the starting lineup.

The upcoming MLS season is a big one for Robinson, who figures to be a key contributor for a talented Cincinnati side. His play in FCC's three-man backline should dovetail nicely with what Pochettino has planned for the USMNT, and his versatility in the form of being able to play as an outside back is a plus for Pochettino.

The tug-of-war over Banks between the U.S. and Germany has begun, with the player telling Sky Sports Germany last weekend that he was "very torn" about which country to represent at international level. All the more reason for Pochettino to call Banks in to try to secure his long-term future with the USMNT. Banks' club form certainly warrants it.

Fullbacks (4)

Dest has been a consistent presence for PSV this season and is on track to set career highs for appearances and minutes played, which counts as fantastic news given his injury-hit 2024-25 campaign. He has appeared mostly as a right back for PSV, but that might not be the case for the USMNT, as he offers a tantalizing option farther forward in Pochettino's setup, or even on the left side if the situation warrants it.

Robinson's recovery from a knee injury that kept him out for much of the first half of the season has gone from being celebratory to worrying. Robinson made six consecutive 90-minute appearances upon his return, but is now no longer a lock starter for Fulham, with Ryan Sessegnon providing considerable competition.

Lately, Robinson has been hampered by an ankle injury, though he was back in the lineup on Wednesday for Fulham against West Ham. He's still the presumed starter for the USMNT, but his health bears watching.

Freeman's transfer to LaLiga side Villarreal has seen him get on the field for late-game cameos, which is still an accomplishment given that the Yellow Submarine is currently third in the league standings. The equity he has built up with Pochettino should see him on the roster, but getting more playing time at club level will cement his status.

Arfsten remains on standby in terms of extended playing time with the USMNT, given Robinson's situation with Fulham. The opening weeks of the MLS season haven't been great for Arfsten or the Crew, but his standing with Pochettino seems strong enough for him to maintain his spot in the left back pecking order.

Central midfielders (5)

Adams' return to the field for Bournemouth in recent weeks is a welcome sign, given that his range and tackling will have a huge impact on how the USMNT fares this summer. The same goes for his health, and given his history, fans will be chewing off their fingernails in the hope he doesn't get injured again.

There's still a way to go in the English Championship season, but Middlesbrough are on track for automatic promotion, with Morris enjoying a string of consistent performances in midfield. That figures to be enough for a call-up, especially with MLS players just beginning to start their club seasons.

Every manager has "their guys," players who might not be the most talented, but fill a role to a tee. Roldan has done precisely that, revealing a level of trust between player and manager that few USMNT players enjoy. The competition in the center of midfield remains fierce, but Roldan has the inside track at the moment.

Cardoso has been getting more consistent playing time since the start of the year, starting six of Atleti's last seven league games. Cardoso also scored a vital goal against Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League, which has allowed him to leapfrog some of the competition in the center of the U.S. midfield. The LaLiga pedigree helps, but he needs to deliver for the USMNT when he gets the chance.

After going unbeaten in 13 games, Lyon has now dropped two in a row, with Tessmann among those who struggled. But he has been a consistent presence in the club's lineup, and while he has deputized in the back at times, midfield remains his calling card. That figures to be the case for the USMNT. A potential partnership with Adams in the middle of the park has a lot of potential.

Attackers (6)

Pulisic's season has cooled off a bit, mostly due to a reported bout of bursitis in his hip that has Milan rationing his minutes. One only hopes that Pulisic is given sufficient opportunity to recover and isn't damaged goods by the time May rolls around. If the issue persists, a March call-up might not be in the works, though he was in Milan's starting lineup last weekend.

About the only position McKennie hasn't played in recent months is goalkeeper. He would probably do well in that role too, given the way he has excelled everywhere else on the field. That said, Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti has been won over. Where he plays for the USMNT is one of the more intriguing storylines heading into March, but given his current form, he has to be on the field.

Weah has been Marseille's jack-of-all-trades this season, lining up in any number of wide roles. But the question of where he fits into the USMNT remains. Dest is probably a more dynamic presence at wing back if that's the tactical direction Pochettino ultimately goes. If the U.S. plays in say a 4-2-3-1, Weah easily slots in as one of the attacking wingers, but that is far from certain.

Tillman has endured some ups and downs this season with Leverkusen, but the positives have been more frequent, especially in his two-goal performance in the Champions League match against Villarreal. While he's not always a starter, he's seeing the field with enough frequency to get on the World Cup roster.

Aaronson's goal contributions have cooled off of late -- none in his last seven matches -- but he remains a valued member of the Leeds squad, especially given his ability to help defend from the front. With some of his competitors for playing at international level ailing, Aaronson remains on track to make the U.S. roster.

At this stage, every minute counts for Luna, and his inability to make the game-day roster in RSL's first two games is a blow. Given the injury travails of some of his international teammates, he gets the nod for now. But at the moment, the RSL midfielder is probably the last selection on the roster. A return to the lineup -- and a hot start to the season -- will make his spot more secure.

Forwards (3)

It seems that with each passing week, Balogun creates more separation between himself and the competition. His two goals in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain reminded everyone of his mobility and finishing, and he followed that up by orchestrating an inspired fightback from two goals down in a 3-2 win over Lens. At this stage, it will make for a colossal upset if Balogun isn't the starting forward.

Pepi celebrated his recovery from a broken arm with a goal off the bench in a 3-1 win over Heerenveen on Feb. 21, which for him was badly needed given the regularity with which his competitors at international level have been finding the net. At this stage, Pepi still figures to be second choice behind Balogun, but the gap between him and the competition has narrowed considerably.

Seven weeks ago, Wright's World Cup dream looked to be slipping away, as he had scored just three times over 18 matches. Patrick Agyemang's solid play was also putting Wright under pressure. But the Coventry City man responded with a blistering run of form that saw him score seven times in nine matches. For now, the last forward spot is his, but that could change over the coming months.