The 2026 World Cup has concluded for the U.S. men’s national team. Supporters will carry a lifetime of memories from the tournament—both uplifting and disheartening—that nonetheless elevated the profile of soccer across the continent. As one chapter ends, another one begins.
The next World Cup is scheduled for 2030, with Morocco, Portugal, and Spain as the main hosts. For the USMNT, this new cycle will kick off with friendly matches later this fall.
This transition period will also see the team bid farewell to veterans like Tim Ream. Other players may also exit as age takes its toll, but this post-World Cup phase is fascinating due to the influx of young talent eager to make their mark.
With that in mind, here are 30 players to watch in the build-up to the 2030 cycle—consider it a “30 for ’30” list to keep an eye on.
Goalkeepers (3)
There’s a chance that all three goalkeepers from the 2026 World Cup roster could return for 2030. Matt Turner will turn 36 by then and could very well still be on the pitch. However, goalkeeper positions tend to see some changes as each cycle progresses, indicating a need for new faces.
Matt Freese, 27, New York City FC
Freese experienced a variable World Cup but is now entering his prime at 27. A key question will be if he’ll leave NYCFC for European exposure to elevate his performance amidst stiff competition.
Chris Brady, 22, Chicago Fire
Brady’s move to Europe seems inevitable, as he’s received inquiries and continues to pique interest from European teams. With an impressive 115 first-team appearances under his belt, the time for this transition is ripe.
Diego Kochen, 20, Lyngby (on loan from FC Barcelona)
Having spent seven years with FC Barcelona, Kochen will now seek first-team minutes in Denmark’s top flight. He’ll need to step up his game as challengers like Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew) and Julian Eyestone (Brentford) are waiting in the wings.
Defenders (8)
With the exception of Ream, none of the defenders from the last tournament were over 30, suggesting many could still be integral to the squad in four years. Nevertheless, new talent is necessary after the disappointing exit against Belgium in the round of 16.
Chris Richards, 26, Crystal Palace
Richards has been an essential part of Crystal Palace’s recent successes. Will he attract interest from bigger clubs? There’s still room for development, and he should remain a candidate for the U.S. squad in 2030.
Antonee Robinson, 28, Fulham FC
Robinson’s ability to last at the top level will depend on his physical resilience. Although he performed notably in the World Cup, maintaining fitness will be key as he heads into the next cycle.
Auston Trusty, 27, Celtic FC
Trusty seems to be on an upward trajectory as he enjoys club success with Celtic while contributing to the U.S. team. Experience in defense will be valuable, and he offers that in spades.
Alex Freeman, 21, Villarreal
No player’s stock has risen more than Freeman’s in the last year. Progress isn’t always linear in soccer, but with a full preseason at Villarreal ahead, expectations for his continued improvement are high.
Joe Scally, 23, Borussia Mönchengladbach
At only 23, Scally has plenty of playing years ahead. His versatility as both a center back and outside back makes him all the more valuable. The challenge will be to cement a singular role for himself in this cycle.
Daniel Munie, 26, San Jose Earthquakes
The U.S. needs fresh center back talent, and Munie has been central to the Quakes’ resurgence this season, showcasing both athleticism and the ability to make critical passes from the back.
Noahkai Banks, 19, FC Augsburg
While there’s hope surrounding Banks’ potential, he has yet to commit internationally. Germany’s potential rebuild could make him an attractive option, but his strong ties to the U.S. also can’t be ignored.
Frankie Westfield, 20, Philadelphia Union
Playing various roles along the backline for the Union, Westfield was a consistent performer in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, indicating he’s ready for the next step in his career.
Midfielders (8)
The midfield appears to offer the best blend of emerging talent and seasoned players. Several candidates who narrowly missed the cut for 2026 now have the chance to reintegrate and there’s a fresh prospect as well.
Tyler Adams, 27, AFC Bournemouth
Adams’ continued role depends on his physical condition. At 31 during the next World Cup, can he maintain his exceptional range? There’s hope that his experience will counterbalance any physical decline.
Weston McKennie, 27, Juventus
McKennie’s World Cup performance was mostly positive, despite the team’s disappointing exit. His strong standing in his club will likely translate to ongoing involvement with the U.S. team.
Sebastian Berhalter, 25, Vancouver Whitecaps
Berhalter continues to surpass expectations, especially in attacking roles. The question remains if he can sustain this progress over the next four years, although his skills in set pieces are invaluable.
Malik Tillman, 24, Bayer Leverkusen
Tillman has shown promising growth at the international level, netting twice at the World Cup and delivering solid two-way performances. The challenge remains whether he can parallel this success at club level.
Tanner Tessmann, 24, Olympique Lyon
Tessmann was overlooked for the World Cup, but he still has a chance to solidify his place in the upcoming cycle. His recent club performances have varied; consistency is vital moving forward.
Aidan Morris, 24, Middlesbrough
Having missed the cut for 2026, Morris appears ready to play a crucial role in midfield behind Adams as a tough, gritty operator. Success helping his club earn promotion to the Premier League will aid his chances.
Johnny Cardoso, 24, Atletico Madrid
While Cardoso has not consistently transferred his club success to the U.S. setup, he brings a distinctive skill set as a possession-based midfielder who can help control the game’s tempo.
Adri Mehmeti, 17, New York Red Bulls
Despite his youth, Mehmeti has showcased remarkable maturity, earning significant minutes with the Red Bulls. Eligible to represent both the U.S. and Albania, the USMNT should secure his allegiance.
Wingers/Attacking Midfielders (7)
This area of the pitch is undergoing transition. There’s currently no room for Gio Reyna or Tim Weah in the squad. Reyna needs to prove himself more at the club level, while Weah must regain his form with the national team. However, there is a slew of exciting prospects to consider.
Christian Pulisic, 27, AC Milan
Pulisic described his experience at the 2026 World Cup as disappointing. The new U.S. manager will need to consider a future without him. Nevertheless, there’s optimism that Pulisic can still drive the team’s creativity if he maintains his health—a significant concern.
Sergiño Dest, 25, PSV Eindhoven
Dest’s shift to a more advanced wing position appeared beneficial, though the desired output was lacking. His unique creative talents within the U.S. squad make him a valuable asset moving forward.
Diego Luna, 22, Real Salt Lake
Luna’s mix of creativity and resilience didn’t earn him a World Cup roster spot, but he has used past omissions for motivation, suggesting he could have a breakout cycle. A move to a more competitive league may help solidify his place.
Zavier Gozo, 19, Real Salt Lake
Gozo narrowly missed a World Cup spot but is showing readiness for a more significant role, having notched six goals and four assists in league play. His dynamic playing style on the wing makes him a compelling candidate.
Niko Tsakiris, 21, San Jose Earthquakes
Tsakiris stands out as a top creative talent and excels at set pieces, an invaluable skill in the squad. His ongoing injury issues raise concerns, but if he can stay fit, he could be in contention for 2030.
Cavan Sullivan, 16, Philadelphia Union
Sullivan might be the most buzzed-about prospect since Pulisic. He signed a pro contract at just 14 and is already making waves with the Union, with an impressive vision that could signal a bright future. Though depending on a 16-year-old may seem premature, his imminent move to Manchester City when he turns 18 underscores his potential.
Mathis Albert, 17, Borussia Dortmund
Earlier this year, Albert shattered records, becoming the youngest American to appear in the Bundesliga, surpassing Reyna’s previous mark. With challenging competition at Dortmund, further achievements there may open doors to a USMNT call-up.
Strikers (4)
Folarin Balogun, 25, AS Monaco
As the standout performer for the U.S. at the World Cup, Balogun is on the cusp of a move to a larger club. At 29 during the next World Cup, he remains poised to be a key contributor.
Ricardo Pepi, 23, PSV Eindhoven
Pepi has faced challenges recently, including a failed transfer to Fulham and a disappointing World Cup outing. Nevertheless, he is a skilled finisher and should continue to develop at PSV this season and beyond.
Patrick Agyemang, 25, Derby County
Agyemang suffered a severe injury last April, but his physical attributes offer a promising future within the squad as long as he can regain his form.
Julian Hall, 18, New York Red Bulls
Hall has made an impressive impact in his rookie season with the Red Bulls, scoring nine goals in just 15 matches and setting the record for the youngest player to achieve a hat trick in league history. His excellent positioning and movement on the field mark him as a dual national whom the U.S. needs to secure for the future.