The waiting game is almost over for American soccer fans. Mauricio Pochettino just made it clear: if you haven't caught his eye by now, you're probably not making the World Cup squad.
After spending almost 16 months watching around 70 players, the USMNT coach says the door is basically shut on new faces. Now it's all about who stays healthy and who's in top form when selection time comes.
"We don't have time" to bring in new players, Pochettino told reporters Thursday. The focus has shifted completely. It's no longer about discovering talent—it's about picking the right 26 guys who are fit and firing on all cylinders.
March Friendlies Are Make-or-Break
The last chance for players to impress in person comes in late March. The USMNT faces Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta, two heavyweight friendlies that will tell us a lot about the final roster.
Pochettino will announce his March camp roster on March 17. Then in late May, he'll reveal the big one—the actual World Cup squad. For bettors eyeing USMNT odds, these March matches could shift the landscape significantly if key players are missing or new faces surprisingly shine.
But injuries are throwing some curveballs. Tyler Adams, the Bournemouth midfielder and team leader, is dealing with a knee problem. He's racing to be ready for March, though Pochettino would likely still pick him for the World Cup even if he misses camp.
Ricardo Pepi is another worry. The PSV striker broke his forearm just as he was hitting incredible form. He's also attracting transfer interest from England, which could complicate things. "We'll see how he's going to come back," Pochettino said, noting that Pepi is competing with several other strikers for probably just three World Cup spots.
Team Momentum Hits Pause Button
Here's the frustrating part for Pochettino: the team was flying high at the end of 2025. They beat four World Cup teams—Japan, Australia, Paraguay, and Uruguay—and tied Ecuador.
That final match was spectacular: a 5-1 destruction of Uruguay in Tampa. The Americans looked like genuine contenders. Then came a four-month break with no international games.
"You want to play the next week again," Pochettino admitted. The long pause couldn't have come at a worse time when the team had finally found its rhythm and identity.
During this break, Pochettino's staff has been glued to European matches, tracking how their players perform for their clubs. MLS players are just now getting back into preseason shape, but Pochettino doesn't see that as a disadvantage. "Maybe without games, you compensate with energy," he explained.
One interesting development: Orlando City's Alex Freeman is reportedly heading to Villarreal in Spain. Moving clubs so close to the World Cup is risky—if he doesn't play regularly, he could lose his roster spot. But Pochettino supports the move, saying players need to feel happy and keep improving.
The message is clear: the USMNT squad is basically set, and now it's just about staying healthy and in form. Those March friendlies will confirm what most already suspect about who's going to the World Cup.
