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US Men's National Team Prepares for 2026 World Cup with New Faces and Challenges

KVIA•Friday, June 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM•CNN Newsource

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As the United States Men's National Team gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there is a mix of optimism and skepticism among fans. Star player Christian Pulisic, who has made a name for himself in Europe, is expected to lead the team alongside other European-based players like Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman. However, concerns linger regarding the team's defensive capabilities and the recent coaching changes under Mauricio Pochettino, who has yet to achieve significant success with the squad. The team will be without key players Johnny Cardoso due to injury and Diego Luna, who was not selected despite his prior contributions. The World Cup journey begins this Friday, and the team aims to advance beyond the group stage.

Key Details: • The USMNT's first match in the World Cup is on Friday. • Christian Pulisic is a key player with 33 goals in 86 appearances. • Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman are also expected to play significant roles. • Johnny Cardoso is out due to a serious ankle injury. • Diego Luna was not selected for performance reasons despite his prior visibility.

world-cup soccer usmnt pulisic pochettino

People & Organizations

FIFADiego LunaMauricio PochettinoUS Men's National TeamChristian PulisicFolarin BalogunMalik TillmanJohnny Cardoso

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