Mauricio Pochettino: 'Disrespectful' To Focus On USA World Cup Roster Omissions

The United States unveiled its 2026 FIFA World Cup roster on Tuesday, but not without a bit of controversy and debate.

Midfielders Gio Reyna and Sebastian Berhalter were included on U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino's 26-man World Cup roster Tuesday along with winger Alejandro Zendejas, while midfielders Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann were left off.

Defender Sergiño Dest, midfielder Tyler Adams and forward Haji Wright were added after missing March friendlies because of injuries. Zendejas was bypassed for the March roster after a knee injury last fall.

Players were announced in order of uniform number on the roof of the South Street Seaport's Pier 17, with the Brooklyn Bridge as a backdrop.

When asked about some notable omissions from the squad, Pochettino dismissed the line of questioning, stating that focusing on the omissions undermines the players who earned their spots.

 "I think we cannot talk about the players that are not in the roster, because I think it's very disrespectful to the player that made the roster," Pochettino said. "Because … we are going to talk about the players that are not in the roster …and that for me is very disrespectful."

The manager took full accountability for the final cuts, noting that adding one fan-favorite would only spark debate about another.

"That was my decision to pick that 26 and now we need to respect (it)," Pochettino said. "If I include one for sure, you are going to ask me for another … we really believe that that squad, these 26 players are the right players."

Pochettino emphasized that the selection process was the culmination of an exhaustive, 18-month scouting period aimed at building a team that can contend with the world's best.

"We were working really hard, doing one