The United States’ 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 didn’t just end their run in the 2026 World Cup. It slammed shut a chapter in U.S. Soccer’s history while simultaneously cracking open another.
Four years ago in Qatar, the U.S. was the youngest team in the tournament. In 2026, the “Golden Generation” was in their prime. Four years from now, they will be in their early 30s, and won’t have the luxury of an automatic qualification.
The road to the 2030 World Cup, which will be spread out across Morocco, Portugal and Spain, begins now.
The first question for the USMNT is will Mauricio Pochettino remain in charge or will a new head coach take the reins? That decision will largely dictate what the roster will look like in four years. One thing is certain though, the team that takes the field in 2030 will be a different one with some combination of holdovers from 2026 and several new players mixed in.
Others have likely worn the U.S. crest on the World Cup stage for the final time.
The U.S.’s run in this World Cup exposed weaknesses, but also highlighted a youthful core still entering its prime. Here’s an early projection of where the roster stands heading toward 2030 (their age in four years at the 2030 World Cup in parentheses).
Holdovers
GK Chris Brady (26)
D Alex Freeman (25)
D Chris Richards (30)
D Mark McKenzie (31)
D Max Arfsten (29)
D Antonee Robinson (32)
D Joe Scally (27)
MF Malik Tillman (28)
MF Weston McKennie (31)
MF Tyler Adams (31)
MF Sebastian Berhalter (28)
MF Sergiño Dest (29)
F Folarin Balogun (29)
F Ricardo Pepi (27)
F Christian Pulisic (31)
F Gio Reyna (27)
Matt Freese’s difficult night against Belgium may have spelled his doom on the USMNT. He’s likely in the “maybe” category when it comes to holdovers, as are Dest and Reyna.
However with a plethora of young goalkeepers waiting in the wings, we don’t expect to see Freese or Matt Turner on the roster in four years.
Freeman looks destined to become the leader of the next American back line, while Richards’ experience will remain invaluable.
Captain Tim Ream will be 42 and will likely retire by 2030. Many others on this roster, such as Cristian Roldan, Auston Trusty, Miles Robinson, Haji Wright, Alejandro Zendejas and Tim Weah, barely saw the field.
While they may still have an international career ahead of them, we don’t see them making the 2030 squad.
Even after a disappointing tournament, it’s difficult to envision a U.S. attack without Pulisic. Balogun and Pepi should still headline the striker pool.
Just missed the cut
D Noahkai Banks (23)
D Frankie Westfield (24)
MF Tanner Tessmann (28)
MF Diego Luna (25)
MF Johnny Cardoso (28)
MF Aidan Morris (28)
F Patrick Agyemang (29)
F Damion Downs (26)
All of these players were in consideration to make this 2026 World Cup squad but just missed the cut. In the case of Cardoso, ankle surgery was the only reason he was not on this team.
Luna and Tessman were likely the final two cuts.
All of them will be under 30 in four years and entering their primes. If they can continue on this trajectory, there’s no reason to think most of them can’t make the 2030 roster.
The next wave
GK Julian Eyestone (22)
GK Diego Kochen (24)
GK Andrew Rick (24)
GK Gaga Slonina (26)
D Peyton Miller (22)
D Caleb Wiley (25)
D Neil Pierre (22)
D Luca Bombino (23)
D Josh Wynder (25)
MF Adri Mehmeti (22)
MF Zavier Gozo (21)
MF Benjamin Cremaschi (25)
MF Cavan Sullivan (20)
MF Gianluca Busio (28)
MF Rokas Pukstas (25)
MF Jack McGlynn (27)
F Julian Hall (22)
F Malik Jakupovic (22)
F Cole Campbell (24)
F Mathis Albert (21)
These are the guys who got next. Intriguing, young and talented players who could fight for roster spots in four years.
Obviously, a lot depends on their development, playing time and club careers, but we promise you these are names to remember.
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The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will feature a lot of these players on newly appointed manager Steve Cherundolo’s U-23 team.
That tournament will likely be a launching pad for many of these names.
