Predicting the 3 forwards Mauricio Pochettino will select on the USMNT World Cup roster

Time is starting to run out for Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT coaching staff in terms of evaluating players and making decisions on what players will make the 2026 World Cup roster. The USMNT roster selection date is set for May 26, at which point we’ll know the 26 players.

Until then, there is uncertainty regarding who will make the squad, starting at the forward position. Unfortunately, the injury to Patrick Agyemang took him out of contention. Who does that leave for Pochettino to choose? Here are the three forwards we expect to see on the USMNT World Cup roster.

Folarin Balogun

Balogun is a safe bet to make the roster. In fact, he’s likely to be the starter for the World Cup opener against Paraguay. After playing for both the U.S. and England at the youth level, Balogun formally chose to represent the U.S. in May 2023, so he wasn’t on the roster during the last World Cup. However, he’s been the top-choice striker for most of the past three years.

More importantly, Balogun has been in great form throughout the current European season. With 12 goals, he’s Monaco’s leading scorer and ranks fourth in the Ligue 1. Balgoun scored another five goals for Monaco during the Champions League, nearly helping them pull off the upset of PSG in the knockout phase playoffs. Barring something unforeseen, Balogun will be in the squad and starting at the World Cup, making him a key figure in the USMNT’s success.

Haji Wright

Despite an injury keeping him from being called up during the March international break, there’s little doubt that Wright will be on the World Cup roster. There’s a strong argument that he should be starting over Balogun, given the season he’s had at Coventry. Wright is second in the English Championship with 17 goals and has been instrumental in Coventry City winning the Championship and gaining promotion to the Premier League next season.

It’s worth mentioning that Wright was also on the roster during the 2022 World Cup. He came off the bench in the Round of 16 and scored a (rather fortunate) goal to give the U.S. a glimmer of hope late in the game. Wright also scored twice in a 2-1 friendly win last October against Australia, one of the USMNT’s opponents during the group stage. Even if he has to come off the bench during the World Cup, Wright is a potential match-winner for the U.S. and could have an important role to play this summer.

Ricardo Pepi

After essentially being the last player left off the roster in 2022, it’s looking increasingly likely that Pepi will make the World Cup squad this time around. Pochettino was likely going to have a difficult decision to make between Pepi and Agyemang for the final forward spot. But with Agyemang’s injury, Pepi’s spot looks secure.

Of course, Pepi isn’t going to the World Cup by default; he’s earned a spot on the roster. Despite being plagued by injuries in recent years, Pepi has produced when healthy. He’s scored 13 goals in 23 games for PSV Eindhoven this season, helping the team to yet another title in the Dutch Eredivisie. Unfortunately, those injuries have limited his national team action during Pochettino’s tenure.

On the other hand, Pepi has 13 goals in 35 international appearances. He’s also shown a propensity for scoring goals off the bench, which figures to be his role during the World Cup.

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