From Donovan to Harkes, USMNT's most stunning World Cup snubs - ESPN

In a matter of hours, the U.S. men's national team will officially announce its 2026 World Cup roster. After 91 players were given international minutes since the last World Cup, the U.S. has whittled its list down to 26 for the upcoming major tournament that will be co-hosted on home soil. Doing so is no easy task.

For head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has been in charge since late 2024, the message has been that «no one can feel safe» when it comes to roster selection, highlighting just how open and fluid decision-making can be. (The roster leak over the weekend, if accurate, shows just how fluid this process is.)

As for the players themselves — in the current and former World Cup cycles — it's also a stressful period while waiting to hear if you'll make the final cut.

«Definitely on your mind, it's impossible not to think about it,» former U.S. Jozy Altidore acknowledged on a recent podcast appearance with U.S. legends Landon Donovan and Tim Howard. «It's nerve-racking for all players. Whether you're somewhat of a shoo-in or one of the guys who you've earned your place, or you're a bubble guy. It's a nervous time.»

Tough choices are inevitably made when it comes to any national team's World Cup roster announcement, and following the release of the list, there will be plenty of the usual headlines when it comes to the most notable snubs.

This is a good reminder to review those who were also shockingly left out in the past. Ahead of Tuesday's official squad reveal, let's take a look back at the all-time surprise World Cup roster absences for the USMNT.

Quick note: Any drops due to injury are not listed.

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