The United States men’s national team (USMNT) is set to appear in its 12th FIFA World Cup this year, aiming to impress its fans. And, USMNT great Alexi Lalas has offered his take on how Mauricio Pochettino’s side could lineup in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
USMNT Legend Names USMNT’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Starting 11
In his column for Fox Sports, Lalas asserted that the USMNT will compete in Group D of the upcoming World Cup using a 3-4-2-1 setup. He also named his preferred 11 starters for the Stars and Stripes, starting with the goalkeeper, saying, “There’s nobody else right now who has had the consistency or confidence of Mauricio Pochettino more than Matt Freese.”
After naming the New York City goalkeeper, Lalas earmarked Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards as one of the three center-backs in the USMNT’s starting 11. He also claimed that Charlotte defender Tim Ream and Cincinnati center-back Miles Robinson will start this summer.
“The only question would be whether (Augsburg star) Noahkai Banks is on the team, and if he’s on the team, I think he slots in for a lot of people,” the 55-year-old continued.
Commenting on who could play as the two full-backs, Lalas mentioned, “On either side, I’m going to have the speedsters pushed up higher than maybe we’ve seen them in the past… when it comes to Sergino Dest on the right and Antonee Robinson on the left.”
Lalas, who represented his national team 96 times between 1991 and 1998, also suggested that Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams and Juventus’ Weston McKennie will start in midfield.
“Although Weston McKennie, especially given the way that he’s evolved (at Juventus in the ongoing season), will kind of have carte blanche and he will kind of interchange with one of the folks in the top three,” the former Los Angeles Galaxy defender stated.
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Lalas added, “Christian Pulisic is starting on the left, but he can go anywhere. Malik Tillman is kind of central, but can go different places as long as he stays out of the way of Dest on that right-hand side and can interchange with a Weston McKennie, who I know likes to drift in late but also just likes to maraud, and I want to give him the opportunity to maraud and again, the incumbent up top is (Folarin) Balogun.”
The USMNT will next be in action against Belgium and Portugal in two friendly clashes later this March. They will then face Australia, Paraguay, and the UEFA Playoff C winner in Group D of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be held from Jun. 11 to Jul. 19.
