World Cup 2026 news live updates: Latest on squad lists, ticket prices, injuries and more

As of Friday morning, all signs pointed to a relatively uneventful and inconsequential U.S. World Cup roster release. Then the emails from U.S. Soccer popped into players’ inboxes.

One told Tanner Tessmann, a midfielder who featured in each of the last six USMNT games, that he isn’t on the roster, multiple sources told The Athletic. And in that instant, the World Cup calculus changed.

It’s not entirely clear why Tessmann has been omitted. He picked up a muscle injury earlier this month, but a source briefed on the injury told The Athletic there was no concern regarding his World Cup availability.

Now the USMNT midfield, which once appeared deep, suddenly looks unbalanced. Tyler Adams is the only defensive-minded midfielder playing his club soccer outside MLS.

And the question, now, is how the heck Pochettino plans to adjust. What will Pochettino do instead? He could insert Roldan or Sebastian Berhalter next to Adams.

He could pull McKennie back into that deeper role. Or he could change the USMNT’s shape. All three options, though, have drawbacks. It seems, on the surface, like a self-inflicted error.

Maybe Pochettino has a masterplan. Maybe none of this will matter. But it’s clear that with Tessmann at home, the vision that many had for this U.S. team has changed.