The U.S. men’s national team faces multiple hurdles as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The club situations of prospective players will be scrutinized closely, particularly regarding their playing time, but perhaps the most significant challenge will be maintaining player health.
Injuries are an unfortunate reality, and some players will inevitably miss out on the world’s largest soccer extravaganza. In 2022, injuries sidelined Chris Richards and Miles Robinson. The 2014 World Cup saw Stuart Holden miss the trip to Brazil, while Jozy Altidore suffered a hamstring injury just minutes into that tournament.
This ongoing cycle mirrors past challenges, with the USMNT’s injury list busier than coach Mauricio Pochettino would prefer. Some players have successfully returned to the pitch, but one notable exception adds to the concern.
Throughout this season, ESPN will track the developments of the player pool, providing insights into those whose performances and fitness levels make them particularly noteworthy. We call it the USMNT’s countdown to the 2026 World Cup.
ESPN will start the countdown every week leading up to June 11. When the U.S. team is named for this eagerly awaited World Cup on home soil, the 26-man roster should come as no surprise. Only 176 days remain.
2025-26 minutes: 1,219
2025-26 FotMob rating: 6.9
Adams’ Injury Cuts Short Strong Season
Tyler Adams has faced his fair share of injuries during his club career. A hamstring issue sidelined him for much of the 2023-24 season, and a back problem after the 2024 Copa América also affected his playing time. Therefore, it was encouraging to see him participate in 14 of Bournemouth’s first 15 league matches this season. However, in Monday’s match against Manchester United, Adams was substituted after just five minutes due to a knee injury caused by a foot-to-foot challenge with United’s Matheus Cunha.
The initial diagnosis indicates a sprained left MCL, though the duration of his absence remains uncertain.
“This is unfortunate news for us, as Tyler is crucial to our team,” said Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola.
The setback comes when Adams had just been honored with the Premier League‘s Goal of the Month for an impressive 47-yard strike against Sunderland. The hope is that Adams can recover in time to participate in the March international window.
2025-26 minutes: 331
2025-26 FotMob rating: 6.9
Robinson’s Comeback Boosts U.S. Defense
Amidst the injury news regarding Adams, Miles Robinson has made a successful return to the field, earning his first Premier League start of the season during Fulham’s 3-2 victory over Burnley. He not only played the full match but also provided a secondary assist for Calvin Bassey‘s goal. Robinson then made another 90-minute appearance, contributing a primary assist in Fulham’s 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle United.
Robinson’s recovery from knee surgery last May has been a rollercoaster. Although he was unable to start the Premier League season, he had managed a few appearances in September before suffering another setback. Even when he joined the national team for the October window, he did not get on the field due to ongoing knee discomfort.
While Robinson was out, players like Max Arfsten and John Tolkin got a chance to prove themselves for the World Cup. However, it’s evident that Robinson’s experience and contributions on both sides of the pitch are invaluable, making the USMNT stronger with his return.
2025-26 minutes: 868
2025-26 FotMob rating: 7.1
Pepi’s Performance Puts Pressure on Balogun
Ricardo Pepi has experienced his own injury troubles this season, notably a muscle strain in his upper leg late September that hindered his competition for the starting striker spot with Guus Til at PSV. Nevertheless, Pepi is reaching peak form, having scored four goals in his last five matches, with four of those being starts. An added advantage is that manager Peter Bosz has repositioned Til into midfield in recent outings, allowing both players to feature simultaneously.
This change has provided Pepi with the opportunity to solidify his standing at both the club and international levels. Securing a starting spot with the U.S. is still competitive, as AS Monaco‘s Folarin Balogun currently holds the position, but Pepi’s scoring streak keeps him in Pochettino’s thoughts.
In-Form XI
With Adams’ injury, this week’s in-form XI has seen some adjustments.
Given that Middlesbrough‘s Aidan Morris has also been dealing with an ankle injury recently, Weston McKennie has shifted back to center midfield alongside Tanner Tessmann. McKennie’s versatility is highlighted by his ability to effectively cover various roles; for Juventus, he has played as a wingback, center midfielder, and attacking midfielder at different times, filling the latter two roles for the USMNT. It will be intriguing to see his deployment when the next international window comes in March.
McKennie’s move to join Tessmann opens up space for Malik Tillman, who has adapted well at Bayer Leverkusen. Initially, it seemed he was destined for trouble with manager Xabi Alonso and several star players departing. The recent firing of Alonso’s successor, Erik ten Hag, only fueled these concerns, along with the transition from the Eredivisie to the Bundesliga. However, Tillman has thus far proven to be a dependable performer and has gained the confidence of his new manager, Kasper Hjulmand.
Another player making strides, albeit a bit under the radar, is Patrick Agyemang with Derby County. Agyemang, who moved from MLS to the English Championship, has effectively adapted to the heightened competition.
His two goals in a recent 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday brought his tally to eight goal contributions in just 1,221 minutes this season, making him one of the top performers in the team as Derby approaches playoff contention. Additionally, Agyemang’s positioning on the left wing, as opposed to his previous central striker role with the USMNT, allows him greater goal-scoring opportunities.
Though competition is stiff for a World Cup spot — with Balogun, Pepi, and Haji Wright likely being the preferred options — Agyemang’s recent performances keep him very much in contention.