By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Cristian Roldan Named to USMNT 2026 World Cup Roster

The worst-kept secret  regarding Sounders FC captain, and now USMNT 2026 World Cup Roster Cristian Roldan, is official. USMNT coach  Maurio  Pochettino officially announced his squad for the upcoming World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.  A leaked report by the British tabloid The Guardian last week revealed the roster.

 WORLD CUP STAGE

That is now all water under the bridge, and all that matters is that Roldan will be representing his country in front of US and Sounders fans.

“ I actually have the opportunity to have the biggest full-circle moment. You can have, to be able to put on the jersey for the national team in both my hometowns at the 2026 World Cup, it would mean the absolute world to me, Roldan said before the official announcement. “ 
I’ve grown a lot in those two places, and to see my family, be in the stands, it would really be the dream that I’ve had as a kid.” That dream has come true for the Sounders

 SOUNDERS CAREER

Roldan was drafted  16th overall in the  2015 MLS Super Draft after an outstanding career at the University of Washington.  From that time on, Roldan became and is one of the most valuable players on the Sounders’ roster. In his  10+ years with the Sounders, Roldan has made over 400 appearances with the club. He originally started on the right side and moved to the double pivot several years ago. That switch to an inside pivot showcased his ability to be a box-to-box midfielder. Roldan was the anchor for the Sounders’ two MLS Cup victories in 2016 and 2019, and the runners-up in 2017 and 2019.

“As a club, we couldn’t be prouder of Cristian for earning the opportunity to represent the United States on the biggest stage in world soccer,” said Sounders FC General Manager & Chief Soccer Officer Craig Waibel. “Cristian has embodied what it means to be a Sounder since the day he arrived in Seattle. The consistency, professionalism and commitment he brings every day have made him one of the most respected players in our league and now a World Cup player once again. This is a special moment for Cristian, his family and everyone throughout our organization who has played a role in his development over the past decade.”

“Cristian represents everything you want in a player and teammate,” said Sounders FC Head Coach Brian Schmetzer. “He’s selfless, competitive, dependable and always willing to do whatever the team needs to win. Over the years, he’s proven himself at every level of the game and this call-up is a reflection of the work he’s put in throughout his career. Nobody deserves this opportunity more, and all of us at the club are excited to watch him represent our city and country at the World Cup.

INTERNATIONAL BREAKTHROUGH

 Roldan’s international call-up with the National team began in 2017, when he was selected for the USA’s Concacaf Gold Cup squad. He was also called up for the next two  Gold Cup sides. Roldan was then named to the US squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Since that call-up, Roldan has become an integral part of the USMNT, playing the central pivot, where he not only directs traffic on the offensive end but also slows down opposing attacks.

COMPLETE ROSTER

USMNT 2026 World Cup roster

(First-time World Cup selections indicated with an asterisk, caps and goals listed in parentheses)

Goalkeepers (3): Chris Brady* (Chicago Fire, 0 caps/0 goals), Matt Freese* (New York City, 14/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution, 53/0)

Defenders (10): Max Arfsten* (Columbus Crew, 18/1), Sergiño Dest (PSV, 37/2), Alex Freeman* (Villarreal, 15/2), Mark McKenzie* (Toulouse, 27/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC, 80/1), Chris Richards* (Crystal Palace, 36/3), Antonee Robinson (Fulham, 52/4), Miles Robinson* (FC Cincinnati, 38/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach, 24/0), Auston Trusty* (Celtic, 6/0)

Midfielders (4): Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth, 52/2), Sebastian Berhalter* (Vancouver Whitecaps, 11/1), Weston McKennie (Juventus, 64/12), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders, 45/0)

Attacking midfielders/wingers (6): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United, 57/9), Christian Pulisic (Milan, 84/32), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach, 36/9), Malik Tillman* (Bayer Leverkusen, 28/3), Tim Weah (Marseille, 49/7), Alejandro Zendejas* (Club América, 13/2)

Strikers (3): Folarin Balogun* (AS Monaco, 25/8), Ricardo Pepi* (PSV, 35/13), Haji Wright (Coventry City, 20/7)

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