The three nations that solely relied on friendly matches to settle their 26 man squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have now determined which players have been given the honor of playing in a home World Cup. The U.S. Men’s National Team, Canada, and Mexico’s El Tri are now set for their final friendlies ahead of opening the group stage in mid-June.
Canada’s Strongest Squad Ever?
Jesse Marsch announced Canada’s final 26 players on May 29th, and, at least on paper, it may be their strongest team ever. Canada expects to advance from a Group B that features Switzerland as the top team, where they are joined by Bosnia and Qatar.
Canada’s two June friendlies are against Uzbekistan (June 1st) and Ireland (June 5th) before they open against Bosnia on June 12th. In goal, it’s two MLS keepers, Inter Miami’s Dayne St. Clair and Maxime Crepeau (Orlando City) who will be battling to start.
In the backline, Moise Bombito (Nice) returns from injury problems, while Celtic’s Alistair Johnston, Rangers Derek Cornelius, and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies are the experienced, battle tested campaigners. Davies is not expected to play in all group stage games however.
In the midfield, Tigres UANL Marcelo Flores earned his call up at age 22 after just two caps for the country he recently completed a one-time switch to, but a knee injury sustained in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, led to him being unable to join the team. The more experienced names are LAFC’s Stephen Eustaquio and Jacob Shaffelburg, and Villarreal’s Tajon Buchanan. Canada has four defined options at forward, Villareal’s Tani Oluwaseyi and USG’s Promise David are the backups. Jonathan David (Juventus) and Cyle Larin (Southhampton) carry the weight of the scoring.
Maurico Pochettino Picks Team USA
There was much debate after Team USA manager Maurico Pochettino opted to notify the US player pool of their World Cup squad selection via an email, but regardless the squad was set. With rising talent Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake) left out after featuring frequently for Team USA over the last two years, while Gio Reyna returns despite barely playing in the Bundesliga. Johnny Cardoso (Atletico Madrid) misses out due to a serious injury, while Chivas’ Richard Ledezma is also out.
The goalkeepers are all from MLS, with Matt Turner, Chris Brady, and Matt Freese. In the backline there’s veteran Tim Ream at 38, the team captain, and Villareal’s Alex Freeman at 21 among the names that includes PSV’s Sergino Dest.
In the midfield, Reyna returns, with 25-year-old Sebastian Berhalter, Seattle Sounders veteran Cristian Roldan, and experienced UEFA campaigners Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams. There’s a myriad of forward options, Christian Pulisic (84 caps) remains the jersey selling star, he’s joined by Monaco’s Folarin Balogun, and in a surprise, but deserved call-up, Club America’s attacking midfielder Alejandro Zendejas.
Team USA will play Senegal on Sunday, and Germany on June 6th before they open the tournament against Paraguay on June 12th.
Javier Aguirre’s 2026 El Tri Squad
Javier Aguirre hasn’t officially published his 26 team squad at the time of publishing, but ESPN Mexico’s Leon Lecanada has leaked the squad list.
The headline? Guillermo Ochoa at age 40 will take part in another World Cup, though he may be behind Chivas Raul Rangel on the depth chart. Cesar Montes and Jesus Gallardo are expected to start in the backline. Mateo Chavez with 8 caps (PSV) is also expected to be called.
In the midfield there’s the youth talents, Tijuana’s teenage diamond Gilberto Mora,Gilberto Mora, 22-year-old Chivas striker Hormiga Gonzalez, and 20-year-old Obed Vargas (Atletico Madrid). Alvaro Fidalgo, nationalized at age 29, and Brian Gutierrez (Chivas) are also here veteran Raul Jimenez from the Premier League, and the naturalized Julian Quinones are expected to be starters in the forward line. Missing out is Inter Miami’s German Berterame, and an injured Marcel Ruiz (Toluca). Rather than Berterame, Pumas striker Guillermo Martinez was called at 31-years-old after impressing Aguirre during the Liga MX season.
With some of their key players struggling for form, Mexico, who beat Ghana 2-0 on May 22nd, need to continue to find form against Australia and Serbia in the remaining friendly matches before they open against South Africa in Mexico City on June 11th.
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
