In just a few hours, the U.S. men’s national team will announce its official roster for the 2026 World Cup. After 91 players saw international action since the last World Cup, the team has narrowed its candidate pool down to 26 for the highly-anticipated tournament that will be co-hosted on home turf. This is no simple feat.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who took over in late 2024, has communicated that “no one is guaranteed a place” in the roster, emphasizing the dynamic nature of the selection process. The recent roster leak that emerged over the weekend illustrates just how fluid this stage can be.
For the athletes involved—whether in the current or previous World Cup cycles—this is a tense period filled with uncertainty as they await news on who makes the final team.
“It’s definitely on your mind; you can’t help but think about it,” former U.S. player Jozy Altidore shared during a recent podcast alongside U.S. legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard. “It’s nerve-wracking for all players. Whether you’re considered a sure bet, someone who has earned their spot, or a borderline candidate, it’s a stressful time.”
Every national team’s World Cup roster announcement involves tough decisions, and once the squad is revealed, expect plenty of headlines regarding notable omissions.
This serves as a timely reminder of past surprise absences. In anticipation of Tuesday’s official reveal, let’s revisit some of the most shocking roster exclusions in USMNT history.
Note: Exclusions due to injury are not included here.
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Landon Donovan (2014)
The legendary figure in U.S. soccer is also a key element in discussions of World Cup roster snubs.
“America is furious,” read one headline after Donovan was omitted from the 2014 roster. Another article referred to it as the “most controversial decision in U.S. soccer history.”
Head coach Jürgen Klinsmann’s decision to leave off the four-time U.S. Soccer Player of the Year not only excluded the country’s all-time leading goal scorer, but also sidelined the face of the men’s national team.
Months later, Donovan expressed his confusion over the exclusion, questioning why he wasn’t included for the tournament.
“I didn’t agree with that decision, and I still believe I should have been there,” Donovan stated after the U.S. was eliminated by Belgium in the round of 16.
Initially, Klinsmann cited sporting reasons for the exclusion, later indicating that Donovan’s winter hiatus prior to the tournament had impacted his decision. The coach seemed to prefer players who were dedicated to the qualifying process leading up to Brazil 2014.
Ultimately, Donovan’s absence from the 2014 roster raises the biggest “what if?” question in U.S. soccer. This decision, however, wasn’t the only head-scratcher for the 2014 roster, as Eddie Johnson could also have been included on this list.
John Harkes (1998)
Omitting a lesser-known player is one thing; excluding a key leader is quite another.
“He took away the captain of the team,” remarked former defender Marcelo Balboa regarding coach Steve Sampson’s decision to drop Harkes before the 1998 World Cup.
Like Donovan, Harkes was a respected figure with World Cup experience. With a successful stint in the Premier League and an All-Star season in MLS prior to the World Cup, he was an impressive candidate.
The issue? Harkes had a public affair with teammate Eric Wynalda’s wife, a factor that Sampson ultimately acknowledged influenced his decision.
“He was an exceptional captain on the field, but it became impossible to keep him on the team due to his off-field actions,” Sampson explained.
It’s clear that while players may not argue Harkes’ talent deserved a spot, his omission remains a shocking absence for the national team.
In the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup, only two goalkeepers participated in qualifiers: Matt Turner and Zack Steffen. With both splitting game time during the 14 matches leading to the tournament, many assumed the starting role would go to one of them.
However, when head coach Gregg Berhalter unveiled the roster, Steffen was notably absent.
“Zack has been a reliable presence for me,” Berhalter stated during the announcement. “Not including him in the World Cup squad was heartbreaking.”
Why the surprise exclusion? Berhalter cited a growing comfort with a new goalkeeper trio comprised of Turner, Ethan Horvath, and Sean Johnson. Turner ended up starting in the 2022 World Cup, allowing just one goal in the group stage before facing the Netherlands in the round of 16.
What could have happened if Steffen had been the starter? That remains unknown.
During the World Cup qualifiers that secured the U.S.’s spot in 2022, Pepi was the leading contributor, tallying six goals and assists in 10 appearances. Boasting an impressive record at FC Groningen with six goals and two assists in his final nine league games, hopes were high for his inclusion on the World Cup roster despite the pressure of having chosen the U.S. over Mexico.
Ultimately, Pepi was left off the 2022 squad, leading to disappointment for the player. “I felt I did enough to earn a spot on the World Cup team,” he remarked afterward.
While Pepi finished 2022 on a high note with Groningen, struggles prior to his late resurgence likely contributed to his World Cup omission.
Who knows—had he made the trip to Qatar, he might have provided the U.S. with a better opportunity in the round of 16 against the Netherlands, potentially stepping in as the No. 9 instead of Jesús Ferreira.
Taylor Twellman (2006)
Before we conclude our list, it’s worth mentioning Brian Ching in 2010, Jeff Agoos in 1994, and Eddie Johnson in 2024. These players narrowly missed their own World Cup rosters, but Twellman’s exclusion in 2006 stands out.
As the MVP and leading goal scorer in MLS the season prior, Twellman seemed a prime candidate for the squad. Despite an underwhelming international goal ratio, he showcased his talent in 2006 by scoring four goals in two U.S. matches.
As noted in a New York Times article from that time: “Twellman was notably absent from the U.S. World Cup roster even after establishing himself as one of the country’s most dangerous forwards.”
Looking forward to Tuesday, fans will be eager to see if any new names will join Twellman and other surprising omissions in the upcoming roster.