If you have been paying attention, the possible locations for the 2026 World Cup have been released. Exciting times for every soccer or football fan out there.
The 2026 World Cup is one of the most anticipated World Cups in recent memory, at least for me. Nothing excites me more than the US having a guaranteed spot in the World Cup. Never thought I’d say that but safer the 2018 World Cup failure, yeah…
Now, I don’t know how much tickets will be for the 2026 World Cup, especially since I don’t know what World Cup tickets normally cost, but I will be trying my best to get to one of those games.
The World Cup is the one moment where the whole world seems to be in unity. Everyone's attention is focused on their nation's soccer team, with everyone thinking their nation can take home the World Cup Trophy.
Though we can be excited for the 2026 World Cup, which if you didn’t know will take place in the US, Canada, and Mexico, we first have to look towards the 2022 World Cup.
Yes, it’s not in the most desirable destination, Qatar, and not in the preferred season, winter, but it’s still the World Cup. And though the US looks like they have a spot locked up, they could still, somehow, miss the World Cup again.
This is the most talented group of players the US has ever had at their disposal. Never before, at least in my mind, has the US had this many young players for this many massive clubs.
Players like Christian Pulisic, Zack Steffen, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Sergino Dest and Giovanni Reyna are playing for Chelsea, Manchester City, Juventus, RB Leipzig, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund, with the latter getting linked with Real Madrid. This should get US fans excited for the upcoming World Cup.
Though this team will be more ready to actually challenge for the World Cup in 2026, this World Cup will be a chance to show the world the talent at their disposal.
For this paper, I want to try and predict the US’ squad for the 2022 World Cup, since you know, it’s way too early to try and predict the 2026 World Cup.
I’ll go through each position, formations, possible players, and reveal my depth chart for this much anticipated World Cup for USMNT fans. Without further adieu, let’s get into this!
Goalkeepers
Now, I think most people are aware that the players I listed above are all locks, not just to make the team, but locks to start in Qatar.
With Zack Steffen, the US has a guaranteed starter in between the sticks. Steffen made the move from the Columbus Crew to Manchester City two seasons ago, and has gotten decent playing time for the Citizens this season, mostly in Cup games.
So we know Steffen will be starting, and be in contention for the Captaincy, but who will be his back-ups?
The other goalies include NYCFC’s Sean Johnson, New England Revolution’s Matt Turner, Club Brugge’s Ethan Horvath, and DC United’s Bill Hamid. There are some other names but those are the four most likely to back-up Steffen in my opinion.
As we stand right now, I think the most likely candidates are Sean Johnson and Ethan Horvath. Throughout Berhalter’s tenure, those two have been the most consistent behind Steffen.
I feel kind of bad for Bill Hamid, he was supposed to be one of the main guys to replace Tim Howard, now he might not even make the plane to Qatar.
So, with Johnson and Horvath behind Steffen, the US have three capable starters going to the World Cup in Qatar.
GK Depth Chart
Zack Steffen, Manchester City
Sean Johnson, NYCFC
Ethan Horvath, Club Brugge
Right Backs
As I stated earlier, there are a few locks for starting spots for this team. One being Steffen, the next one is Sergino Dest.
Now, this could be disputed, but I’d argue that Dest is playing for the biggest team on this roster in Barcelona. Some may argue Juventus is bigger, to me, it’s Barcelona.
The thing that makes Dest special is the fact that he can play either at right back or left back, and do both jobs very well. For this team, I would suspect he’d be slotting in at the right back spot.
That being said, the right back position, as far as the top two, may be the strongest single position on this team. There’s not a lot of debate here, Dest should be accompanied by Reggie Cannon as the two right backs going to Qatar.
Other right backs such as DeAndre Yedlin, Nick Lima, and even Tyler Adams, have featured at right back under Berhalter. But, I am very confident it’ll be Dest and Cannon at right back for the World Cup.
RB Depth Chart
Sergino Dest, Barcelona
Reggie Cannon, Boavista
Center Backs
The center back position could be one of the most highly contested positions for the US. To most people, John Brooks is one of the only locks for Qatar. When he’s healthy, he is easily the best center back at the US’ disposal. His center back partner though has been a highly disputed discussion among fans and “experts.”
One center back, by the name of Aaron Long, has been a consistent feature under Berhalter. Long, who served as Berhalter’s first captain as the manager of the USMNT, has battled some consistency issues ever since winning the MLS Defender of the Year a few years ago.
Speaking of MLS Defender of the Year, last year's winner, Walker Zimmerman, has also been a pretty consistent figure under Berhalter.
There have been times where Berhalter has rotated Zimmerman with Chelsea loanee Matt Miazga, the same cannot be said for Aaron Long, who usually starts when called up for the USMNT.
Along with Long, Zimmerman, and Miazga, some younger center backs have entered into the fray for Berhalter. Players like Mark McKenzie, Chris Richards, Justen Glad, and Miles Robinson have been featured under Berhalter and have been exciting fans for a few seasons now.
If I had to place a bet on who would be on the plane to Qatar out of the center backs, I would pick John Brooks (obviously), Aaron Long (because he’s been a favorite under Berhalter), Matt Miazga, and a younger player in Mark McKenzie (who has just moved to Genk in Belgium).
CB Depth Chart
John Brooks, Wolfsburg
Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls
Matt Miazga, Anderlecht (Chelsea)
Mark McKenzie, Genk/Chris Richards, Bayern Munich
Left Backs
The final spot in the back line is the left back spot. Again, Sergino Dest’s versatility could allow him to feature as the US’ starting left back, but, for the sake of this, I’m again going to keep him at right back and give two left backs for the World Cup.
The first name that comes to mind is Fulham’s Antonee Robinson. Out of the current crop of left backs for the US, Robinson is the one who is not only the most likely to go to Qatar, but the most likely to start for the US.
Others that could feature for the US are Tim Ream, Chase Gaspar, George Bello, among some even younger players, but I’m going to go with Tim Ream to back-up Robinson.
For the 2022 World Cup, Ream will be 35. I know that’s not the most ideal age but hear me out.
Every team that goes to the World Cup will have at least one player who doesn’t feature, I think that’ll be Ream. Though I don’t think he’ll play, his experience and leadership will be key for this extremely young team Berhalter has at his disposal.
If anything were to happen to Antonee Robinson, I would assume Berhalter would slide Sergino Dest over to left back and promote Reggie Cannon to starting right back. So even if I were to go with someone younger, they wouldn’t play.
Again, I think Ream’s experience and leadership will mean more to the US than his playing ability. His ability to deputise at center back if need be will be nice too in adding some emergency depth.
LB Depth Chart
Antonee Robinson, Fulham
Tim Ream, Fulham
Defensive Midfielders
The back line is all done, sick. With Steffen in net, Aaron Long and John Brooks in the center with Dest and Robinson flying down the wings, oof. That’s a nice little group right there for the US.
Now, for the midfield, Berhalter has more often than not deployed a 4-3-3, which could be subject to change by the World Cup. Now, he could switch to a 4-2-3-1 or 4-5-1, but as of right now, I’d bet he’d stick with his preferred 4-3-3.
In the 4-3-3, Berhalter likes to deploy a single pivot sitting right in-front of the back four. The obvious, most likely, and guaranteed starter here is Tyler Adams.
Ever since Adams was playing for the New York Red Bulls, we knew this would be his spot eventually. And now that he’s ballin 'out for RB Leipzig in Germany, he’s even more guaranteed to start at this position for the US.
For the past forever, this has been one of the many positions Michael Bradley has held throughout his time with the US. If you know me, you know my opinions on Michael Bradley are not the best, so I am hoping and praying he does not show his big ass bald head for the US in Qatar.
By the time the World Cup comes around in 2022, Michael Bradley will be 35 years old, the same age as Tim Ream. But, unlike Ream, Michael Bradley has not featured in a fat minute for the US.
As the worst captain in the US’ soccer history, captaining the team as they missed the World Cup, I hope and think Michale Bradley will not be on the plane to Qatar come 2022.
As for Tyler Adams’ back-up, that’s a little harder to predict, and unless someone reveals themselves, Berhalter may have no choice but to take Bradley to Qatar, so I’m hoping someone emerges.
But, much like the left back position, whoever backs up Tyler Adams will more than likely not see the field in the World Cup, due to the fact Weston McKennie could slot right into that position.
Some of the players up for that spot are San Jose’s Jackson Yueill, Internacional’s Johnny Cardoso, and Colorado’s Kellyn Acosta, who has put himself back into the fray in contention for a seat to Qatar.
As far as talent goes, Kellyn Acosta is the most talented. Throughout his time in the MLS, Kellyn Acosta has been one of the better set piece specialists, which is something the US currently don’t have.
He also has 24 caps for the US, which is even more than Tyler Adams, who only has 12.
Young players like Owen Otasowie have started to pick up steam for this spot due to his recent emergence for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.
If I had to place money on a player to back-up Tyler Adams, I’d guess Jackson Yueill. Now, am I confident in saying that? No not really, especially if Otasowie keeps developing. But Yueill has featured a few times under Berhalter and has played well in the playing time provided.
Out of the current crop of sixes behind Adams, I feel Yueill is the one who would best serve the US for the 2022 World Cup.
CDM Depth Chart
Tyler Adams, RB Leipzig
Jackson Yueill, San Jose Earthquakes
Central Midfielders
So, for those who don’t know, a 4-3-3 stands for four defenders, three midfielders, and three attackers. In a 4-3-3, there’s the one holding midfielder (Tyler Adams) and one box-to-box midfielder and one more advanced attacking one. As far as the box-to-box position, that’s Weston McKennie’s to lose.
As we sit here in January 2021, Weston McKennie is in the best form out of the current crop of US players, starting game in and game out with Juventus. With Pulisic battling some injuries, one could say McKennie is the best US player in the world right now.
That being said, once Pulisic is back and healthy, McKennie will slide back to the second best US player. Sorry Weston.
Whether you rank him as the best or second best player for the US, McKennie’s spot in the starting lineup is undisputed. He’ll be playing the role of the box-to-box midfielder, as I stated before. Most likely going to be playing on the right side of the midfield three.
As far as the attacking option goes, I feel it’ll be between two other guaranteed starters in Christian Pulisic and Giovanni Reyna.
Though each player has been playing as a left winger for their respective clubs, Berhalter has shown an affinity for playing Pulisic in midfield.
In a recent quote from Gregg Berhalter, he stated that, “I think Christian’s bet role is when he has the freedom to be flexible, because we know he can beat players wide, but we also know he can get final passes in the middle.”
“What I can tell you is that it’s highly unlikely that we’re going to put him in a position where he’s only asked to do one thing, because that doesn’t match his skill set.”
“He’s a game-changer you need to put in position to be able to change the game in a number of areas. I think the areas he’s going to be effective will change from game to game based on the opponent.”
If you look at the bigger games the US has played in, i.e. the Gold Cup, Berhalter has deployed Pulisic as the attacking midfield role on the left side of the midfield three in order to keep him on the ball.
McKennie’s ability to defend allows him the freedom to go more into attacking areas making him a very dangerous player for the US. To me, Pulisic is likely to be deployed in that attacking midfield role for the World Cup. I also fully expect him to be leading the team out of the tunnel and wearing the captains armband for years to come.
As far as back-ups are concerned, Berhalter does have some favorites, Sebastian Lletget being one of those favorites.
In the recent friendlies the US played, Lletget was the only player from the US on the team. His ability to play multiple positions from the midfield to the wings and even as a false nine, and his consistency in those positions makes him a likely candidate to go to Qatar. It seems Berhalter really trusts him.
Other midfielders that could/should be in the mix are Yunus Musah (if he stays with the US), Brenden Aaronson, Kellyn Acosta (again), Richard Ledezma, Paxton Pomykal, among some others.
I really really REALLY want to pick Yunus Musah, but he hasn’t officially declared his loyalty to the USMNT. If and when he does, he will be on the plane to Qatar. He’s too talented not to take, but the mystery around his national team makes it hard to predict him to go on the plane.
To me, the most likely to go to Qatar along with Lletget is Brenden Aaronson. Aaronson is one of the most recent transfers from the MLS to Europe, signing a deal with Red Bull Salzburg.
Aaronson is a very creative player who will likely be Pulisic’s back-up on this team, meaning he probably won’t be playing too much. But, God forbid Pulisic gets hurt, Aaronson could slot right in and provide that creative spark for the US.
For the 2022 World Cup, the US can deploy one of the youngest and most exciting midfields in the world. A midfield three of Adams, McKennie, and Pulisic should get US fans excited for the future.
CM Depth Chart
Christian Pulisic (C), Chelsea
Weston McKennie, Juventus
Sebastian Lletget, LA Galaxy
Brenden Aaronson, Red Bull Salzburg
(Yunus Musah, Valencia)
Wingers
To me, the defense and midfield are pretty easy to predict for the US, the attacking trio for the US is a little harder to predict. Whether it be injuries, form, or playing out of position, the attack could be interesting for the US come 2022.
Starting off with the wingers, the one lock is Giovanni Reyna. The son of US legend Claudio Reyna, Gio can play either on the wing, which is where he plays for Dortmund, or in the midfield, in the role Pulisic is playing.
Though he has been playing on the left for Dortmund, because of Jadon Sancho’s position on the right, Reyna, in his two senior caps for the US, has played on the right wing.
Usually, when designing a front three, if you’re right footed you play on the left and if you’re left footed you play on the right in order to cut in to score goals. If you’re a right footed player who plays on the right, more often than not you’re more of a creator than goal scorer. I think that’s the role Reyna will be playing for the US in 2022.
This leaves the other wing spot to go to more of a goal scorer. For that spot the US could deploy MLS MVP candidate Jordan Morris (who recent transferred to Swansea City), Chris Mueller (who had a great debut for the US), Tim Weah (who has re-emerged for the US), Paul Arriola, Ulysses Llanez, Konrad de la Fuente, among some other young players, possibly including the aforementioned Yunus Musah.
Out of these players, I feel Jordan Morris would feel the most hard done by if he were left off this spot. As a former striker, Morris is the best goal scorer out of the players listed above.
Ever since tearing his ACL in 2018, Morris has scored nearly 30 goals over the past two seasons for the best attacking team in the MLS. We shall see if he can continue the same run of form in the Championship for Swansea.
I think Morris should be the starter for the US on the left wing if he can continue his form for Swansea. Out of the players mentioned above, Morris is also the most experienced, appearing 39 times for the US.
So, on the wings the US should deploy Giovannia Reyna, with his creativity, on the right with Jordan Morris, with his speed and shooting touch, on the left.
Behind these two, we could go a lot of different directions. This could be one of those situations where a couple young players break through and get some serious play time for the US. Maybe someone we’ve never heard of could break through. Starting on the right though, behind Giovanni Reyna, I’ll put Paul Arriola.
Ever since Berhalter has taken over as the United States manager, Paul Arriola has been a constant, no only in the team, but in the starting lineup. Arriola has a lot of experience with the national team, with 34 caps, and is a very capable back-up who could give the US good minutes off the bench.
Behind Morris on the left, I am stuck with going with either Barcelona’s Konrad de la Fuente, Lille’s Tim Weah, and Orlando’s Chris Mueller. If we’re looking at the clubs alone, it’s not really close. On that we’d have to go with Konrad de la Fuente. But, we can’t just go off that.
Yes, Konrad is playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, that being said, he hasn’t gotten a ton of playing time. Unless he moves clubs or starts getting more playing time, I wouldn’t expect him to be on the plane for 2022.
Tim Weah, son of legendary soccer player George Weah, has been one of the most hyped players coming through the US’ academy. That being said, he has struggled for consistency and form since joining Lille a few years ago.
Ever since he had a pretty good 2018 for the US, he has only played two games since then. After the US’ win versus Panama, you could see the relief on Weah’s face, as it seemed he found some confidence.
Finally, Chris Mueller, though playing in the MLS, is getting very consistent minutes for a young and talented Orlando City. He also put together a very impressive USMNT debut with two goals and a very selfless assist against El Salvador. Now, I am aware that El Salvador doesn’t have the strongest squad, you still have to perform.
Though I really like these players on the wing, I think I’m only going to bring three. With questions regarding the depth on the wing I think the most likely outcome is to just bring three, with Pulisic being able to play on the wing as well, that will help in depth out wide.
RW/LW Depth Chart
Giovanni Reyna, Borussia Dortmund
Paul Arriola, DC United
Jordan Morris, Swansea City (Seattle Sounders)
Strikers
The striker position for the US is probably going to be the most highly contested spot on the entire roster. This is a position that has been an interesting one for the US over the past decade, as Jozy Altidore has pretty much been unchallenged for starts for the US. The best striker, other than Jozy, over this decade has been Bobby Wood. Does anyone know where he’s at now?
Though Jozy may be the most experienced striker for the US, I don’t know if he’s the best anymore.
Throughout Jozy’s career, we have waited for him to truly take off, which he has really failed to do. We have been waiting for Jozy to realize his potential, but he really hasn’t. Jozy is 31 now and has struggled for form/consistency and has battled injuries for the better part of his career.
Now, I do think Berhalter still values Altidore. Though he’s battled injuries and consistency, I still feel he’ll be going to Qatar. He’s played a lot of games for the US, and even if he doesn’t start, Jozy size and athletic ability could be key for the US.
Other than Jozy, Berhalter has shown a lot of faith in Columbus Crew striker Gyasi Zardes. A former winger, Zardes has really found his goal scoring touch since getting traded to the Crew a few seasons ago.
For those who forgot or just didn’t know, Berhalter used to be the manager for the Columbus Crew, and his relationship with Gyasi Zardes has always been pretty well documented.
Based on the past patterns from Berhalter, I fully expect Gyasi Zardes to be on the plane for Qatar. He’s Berhalter’s guy. Do I think he’s a guaranteed start? Not really, but I won’t rule that out because of their relationship.
So with Gyasi Zardes heading to Qatar, Jozy is going to have to compete with some very young and exciting strikers. Josh Sargent is the most well known one followed by Sebastian Soto, Nicholas Gioachhini, Ayo Akinola, Daryl Dike, and most recently, Matthew Hoppe.
With Matthew Hoppe, he has kind of just come out of nowhere. He went from never playing for the US at any level to becoming the first American to score a hat trick in the Bundesliga. Crazy.
Daryl Dike comes in a very similar mold to Jozy Altidore. Dude is a friggin tank on the field. Ayo Akinola scored in his US debut, with an assist from Mueller, and put together a very impressive season with Toronto FC.
Both Dike and Akinola outscored Jozy Altidore, which should apply some serious pressure to Altidore’s spot on the roster.
Though I like all the young strikers the US has available, I would be shocked if Josh Sargent wasn’t on the plane to Qatar.
Even before he made his US debut, big things have been expected from Sargent. Playing in the Bundesliga, and starting fairly consistency, will be key for Sargent’s development. He has also been one of the better strikers for the US in regards to actually playing for the team.
Sargent is only 20 years old, which is younger than Akinola and as old as Dike, and has a lot of experience at club level and the international level. I think Berhalter brings three strikers to Qatar, all with different skill sets. This position will be fun to watch over the next year to see who can really separate themselves from the competition.
ST Depth Chart
Gyasi Zardes, Columbus Crew
Jozy Altidore, Toronto FC
Josh Sargent, Werder Bremen
Possible Starting XI
GK Zack Steffen, Manchester City
RB Sergino Dest, Barcelona
CB Aaron Long, NY Red Bulls
CB John Brooks, Wolfsburg
LB Antonee Robinson, Fulham
DM Tyler Adams, RB Leipzig
CM Weston McKennie, Juventus
CM Christian Pulisic (C), Chelsea
RW Giovanni Reyna, Borussia Dortmund
ST Gyasi Zardes, Columbus Crew
LW Jordan Morris, Swansea City
2022 World Cup Squad
Zack Steffen (VC), GK, Manchester City
Sergino Dest, RB, Barcelona
Antonee Robinson, LB, Fulham
Tyler Adams, DM, RB Leipzig
Mark McKenzie, CB, Genk
John Brooks, CB, Wolfsburg
Giovanni Reyna, AM/W, Borussia Dortmund
Weston McKennie (VC), CM, Juventus
Gyasi Zardes, ST, Columbus Crew
Christian Pulisic (C), AM/W, Chelsea
Jordan Morris, W, Swansea City
Sean Johnson, GK, NYCFC
Josh Sargent, ST, Werder Bremen
Paul Arriola, W, DC United
Tim Ream, LB/CB, Fulham
Jackson Yueill, DM, San Jose Earthquakes
Jozy Altidore, ST, Toronto FC
Sebastian Lletget, CM, LA Galaxy
Matt Miazga, CB, Anderlecht
Reggie Cannon, RB, Boavista
Brenden Aaronson, AM, Red Bull Salzburg
Ethan Horvath, GK, Club Brugge
Aaron Long, CB, NY Red Bulls
Players Who Missed Out
Matt Turner, GK, New England Revolution
Brad Guzan, GK, Atlanta United
Walker Zimmerman, CB, Nashville SC
Miles Robinson, CB, Atlanta United
Chris Richards, CB, Bayern Munich/Mark McKenzie, CB, Genk
Bryan Reynolds, RB, FC Dallas
Kyle Duncan, RB, NY Red Bulls
Michael Bradley, CM, Toronto FC
Kellyn Acosta, CM, Colorado Rapids
Cristian Roldan, CM, Seattle Sounders
Johnny Cardosa, CM, Internacional
Yunus Musah, CM, Valencia (if he remains apart of the US, he will be on the plane)
Richard Ledezma, AM, PSV
Owen Otasowie, CM, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Paxton Pomykal, AM, FC Dallas
Bryang Kayo, CM, Wolfsburg
Sebastian Soto, ST, Norwich City
Ayo Akinola, ST, Toronto FC
Daryl Dike, ST, Orlando City
Chris Mueller, W, Orlando City
Jonathan Lewis, W, Colorado Rapids
Timothy Weah, W, Lille
Ulysses Llanez, W, Wolfsburg
Nicholas Gioacchini, ST, Caen
Konrad de la Fuente, W, Barcelona
Matthew Hoppe, ST, Schalke
This World Cup will be a lot of fun. The US has now set a standard for the future with their talent crop of young players.
If you’re wondering why there’s a lot of MLS players here, well, Mr. Berhalter loves himself some MLS players. Throughout his time as manager, he has always shown a nice side to the MLS. So I expect a few MLS players to go to Qatar. This ain’t Klinsmann.
Though I don’t think they’ll be competing for the World Cup in 2022, this could be a great stepping stone for the US for the 2026 World Cup. How awesome would it be to see the US lift the World Cup trophy in 2026 on home soil?
This team is going to be fun to follow over the next year. I cannot wait for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar!
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