Doug McIntyre Unveils Bold USMNT Roster Projection and Starting XI for 2026 FIFA World Cup

In a tantalizing preview of what’s to come on soccer’s grandest stage, FOX Sports insider Doug McIntyre has dropped his latest projection for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) roster and starting XI ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the tournament set to unfold across North America—including the U.S. as co-host—McIntyre’s lineup features a blend of established stars and rising talents, poised to challenge global powerhouses. This revelation comes at a pivotal time, as the USMNT navigates qualifying campaigns and builds momentum for a home-soil showdown.

McIntyre, a veteran soccer journalist known for his sharp analysis on FOX Sports, emphasized the importance of depth and versatility in his selections. ‘The 2026 World Cup will demand a squad that’s not just talented but adaptable,’ McIntyre told FOX Sports in an exclusive interview. ‘With home advantage, the USMNT has a real shot at advancing deep, but only if we get the roster right.’ His projections, based on recent performances in MLS, European leagues, and international friendlies, spotlight players who have shown consistency and growth since the 2022 Qatar disappointment.

The USMNT’s journey to 2026 has been marked by highs and lows, including a round-of-16 exit in 2022 and mixed results in CONCACAF Nations League play. Yet, with young phenoms emerging and veterans like Christian Pulisic hitting prime form, optimism is building. McIntyre’s roster totals 26 players, adhering to FIFA’s expanded squad size, and includes surprises that could spark debates among fans and pundits alike.

McIntyre’s Goalkeeper Selection: Stability in the Net

Doug McIntyre’s projected USMNT roster begins with a critical choice between the posts, where experience meets emerging promise. Leading the pack is Matt Turner, the Nottingham Forest shot-stopper who has solidified his role as the No. 1 since his standout performances at the 2022 World Cup. Turner’s 2023-24 season in the Premier League saw him record six clean sheets in 22 appearances, a statistic that underscores his reliability under pressure.

Backing Turner, McIntyre opts for Zack Steffen, returning from his loan spell at Colorado Rapids, and emerging talent Gabriel Slonina from Chelsea. ‘Turner is the clear starter, but Steffen’s experience in the Bundesliga adds depth, and Slonina represents the future at just 20 years old,’ McIntyre explained. Slonina’s inclusion is particularly noteworthy; the Chicago native has already earned caps in youth internationals and impressed in preseason friendlies, saving 78% of shots faced in his 2024 MLS outings before his European move.

This trio addresses a historical vulnerability for the USMNT, where goalkeeping inconsistencies have plagued past tournaments. In 2026, with high-stakes matches potentially decided by fine margins, McIntyre believes this selection provides the balance needed to weather defensive storms. Fans will recall Turner’s heroic saves against England in Qatar, a moment that cemented his status, and McIntyre predicts similar clutch performances on home soil.

Defensive Backbone: Building a Fortress for 2026

Turning to the backline, McIntyre’s USMNT projection emphasizes a blend of Premier League pedigree and domestic grit, crucial for the physical demands of World Cup soccer. At center-back, the partnership of Chris Richards and Tim Ream stands out. Richards, now thriving at Crystal Palace, has logged over 1,500 minutes in the 2023-24 Premier League season, contributing to a defense that conceded just 1.2 goals per game on average. Ream, the veteran Fulham captain at 36 by 2026, brings leadership forged in over 300 Championship appearances.

Flanking them are full-backs Antonee Robinson on the left and Joe Scally on the right. Robinson’s attacking flair—evidenced by his five assists in the 2023-24 season with Fulham—makes him a weapon going forward, while Scally’s versatility at Borussia Mönchengladbach allows seamless switches to midfield if needed. ‘This defense isn’t just solid; it’s dynamic,’ McIntyre noted. ‘They’ve shown they can handle the speed of European attackers, which will be key against teams like Brazil or Germany.’

Depth comes from Walker Zimmerman, Mark McKenzie, and Miles Robinson, the latter recovering from a 2023 ACL injury but projected to return stronger. McIntyre’s choices reflect lessons from recent CONCACAF qualifiers, where the USMNT posted a league-best defensive record, allowing only four goals in eight matches. This projected backline could be the unsung hero of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, shielding the goal while launching counterattacks that exploit America’s speed.

Midfield Mastery: Pulisic and Co. Orchestrating Attacks

The engine room of McIntyre’s USMNT roster pulses with creativity and tenacity, headlined by Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie. Pulisic, the AC Milan winger and USMNT talisman, is slotted on the right flank in the starting XI, where his 2023-24 Serie A form—nine goals and seven assists—has reignited his star power. ‘Pulisic is entering his peak at 27; he’s the creative spark we need,’ McIntyre asserted.

In central midfield, McKennie pairs with Tyler Adams, the Bournemouth enforcer whose injury-plagued 2023 limited him to just 11 appearances but whose return is anticipated to bolster the team’s steel. Adams’ 2022 World Cup stats—two tackles per game average—highlight his defensive prowess, while McKennie’s Juventus tenacity adds box-to-box energy. Emerging alongside them is Yunus Musah, now at Valencia, whose dribbling flair (3.2 successful dribbles per 90 minutes in La Liga) injects unpredictability.

McIntyre’s midfield projection also includes Brenden Aaronson, Gio Reyna, and Johnny Cardoso for rotation. Reyna’s injury history is a concern, but his Borussia Dortmund cameos show flashes of genius. This group has evolved since the 2022 tournament, where midfield lapses cost dear against the Netherlands. With enhanced cohesion from club-level synergies, McIntyre envisions a midfield that controls tempo and transitions seamlessly, vital for the 2026 FIFA World Cup’s grueling group stages.

Forward Firepower: Sargent Leads the Charge Up Top

Up front, Josh Sargent emerges as McIntyre’s surprise starter for the USMNT, a nod to his prolific Norwich City form in the Championship, where he netted 16 goals in 2023-24. At 26 by 2026, Sargent’s aerial dominance (winning 55% of headers) and work rate make him ideal for a high-pressing system. Flanking him are Folarin Balogun on the left, fresh from Monaco’s Ligue 1 campaign with eight goals, and Pulisic on the right.

‘Sargent over Pepi? It’s about current trajectory,’ McIntyre justified. Ricardo Pepi, at PSV Eindhoven, provides bench impact with his Eredivisie scoring touch (12 goals in 2023-24), alongside Haji Wright and Brandon Vazquez. This forward line addresses the USMNT’s historical goal-scoring woes—averaging just 1.4 goals per game in 2022 qualifiers—by prioritizing finishers who thrive in tight spaces.

Statistics back the optimism: The projected attack has combined for over 50 international goals, with Balogun’s speed (top speed of 34 km/h recorded in Ligue 1) complementing Sargent’s hold-up play. McIntyre draws parallels to the 2014 squad’s potency, suggesting this unit could eclipse 10 goals in group play if chemistry clicks.

Path to Redemption: USMNT’s 2026 World Cup Roadmap

As the USMNT eyes the 2026 FIFA World Cup, McIntyre’s roster projection serves as a blueprint for redemption after Qatar’s heartbreak. With qualifying underway—boasting a perfect 3-0 start in CONCACAF under Gregg Berhalter—the team must integrate these talents through friendlies against Mexico and Brazil scheduled for late 2024. McIntyre warns of challenges like Adams’ fitness and Reyna’s recovery, but sees opportunities in the expanded format, offering three group games to build momentum.

Co-hosting with Canada and Mexico amplifies the stakes; packed stadiums from Seattle to Miami could propel the USMNT to the quarterfinals, a feat unmet since 2002. ‘This roster has the tools to surprise,’ McIntyre concluded. ‘Depth in every position means Berhalter can rotate without dropping quality, turning home support into a weapon.’ Looking ahead, Nations League semifinals in March 2025 will test these projections, refining the squad for a tournament where anything short of the knockout stage would disappoint a nation hungry for soccer glory.

The buzz around McIntyre’s picks is already igniting social media, with fans debating Sargent’s inclusion and Slonina’s potential. As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, this USMNT roster projection not only fuels excitement but charts a course toward realizing America’s soccer dream on its own turf.