USMNT World Cup Squad Selection: Pochettino Defends Email Communication Method

Mauricio Pochettino defended informing United States players of World Cup selection by email after finalising a 26-player squad. The United States head coach admitted the choice felt harsh, yet argued it was the fairest approach. Established names Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie headline a group containing few selection surprises.

The United States will compete in Group D, starting against Paraguay on June 12, then meeting Australia and Turkiye. Pochettino kept continuity from Qatar, with 13 players from the 2022 World Cup last-16 run retained. Every other squad member is set for a first appearance at a World Cup tournament.

One of the notable inclusions is Gio Reyna, who returns to the World Cup stage despite limited club action. Reyna has played only 137 minutes across eight matches for Borussia Monchengladbach since the start of 2026. Pochettino said the staff waited until the very end before confirming the final group.

"The last day, we decided," Pochettino said. "We had an idea. It's not like we changed 20 players, but we were analyzing the situations and then decided the 26 players."

There was disappointment for Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna, who missed out after being widely expected to feature. Luna had impressed for the United States in the 2023 Gold Cup, raising hopes of a World Cup place. Pochettino reduced an initial 55-player provisional list to the final 26 for the tournament.

When deciding how to share the news, Pochettino chose a digital approach for both selected and omitted players. Every player received an email explaining the decision, while those going to the World Cup also received a personalised video message from Pochettino, sent before the squad announcement was released publicly.

Pochettino explained that the priority was clear information rather than emotional phone calls, and described the process as personally draining. "It wasn't the moment to inspire, it was the moment to communicate the roster," Pochettino told reporters. "The most difficult thing [is that] it is painful. It is painful because I really know what it means to be out of the roster. I was a player. When I didn't make the roster, I didn't want the coach to call me. If I ask why am I not in the roster, what are they going to say? They are going to lie. If I call, it's about myself. Come on, that is b*******. If the players didn't make the roster, they don't want to hear from me. I care. For two weeks, I didn't sleep."

Pochettino’s comments underline the tension between empathy and selection when finalising a World Cup group. The United States now move from internal decisions to tournament preparation, with experienced figures and new faces combined. The email debate may continue, but the focus will soon shift to Group D performances.