Will USMNT’s Star Absentees Derail 2026 World Cup Hopes
With Christian Pulisic Weston McKennie Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest absent from the Gold Cup can the USMNT truly gel before 2026 We analyze the risks expert opinions and the road ahead .
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As of June 2025 the US Mens National Team USMNT heads into the Gold Cup without several of its most important players—Christian Pulisic Weston McKennie Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest While rotating squads for the Gold Cup isn’t unusual especially one year before a World Cup many are asking could this absence hurt the USMNT’s preparations for 2026 .
Key Absentees
- Christian Pulisic AC Milan Rested due to fatigue and minor injuries after a demanding club season .
- Antonee Robinson Fulham Recovering from knee surgery and not match fit .
- Weston McKennie Tim Weah Giovanni Reyna Missed out due to UEFA Club World Cup obligations .
- Sergiño Dest Barcelona Still regaining full fitness following ACL recovery .
These players are crucial to the USMNT’s style experience and depth Their collective absence presents both a strategic challenge and a missed opportunity for tactical development .
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The Cohesion Conundrum
Former USMNT player and coach Tab Ramos warns that limited playing time together under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino may hurt the squad’s chemistry Since Pochettino’s appointment in late 2024 only Pulisic has logged more than 350 minutes .
We are obviously giving ourselves less of a chance… you don’t understand the reaction of players and different combinations in a certain game said Ramos .
Pairings like Robinson Dest in defense or McKennie Adams in midfield have barely had time to build on field understanding—an essential factor in tournament success .
Voices from the Camp
Despite concerns some remain optimistic
- Mark McKenzie part of the Gold Cup squad emphasizes that every camp helps with chemistry regardless of who is present .
- Former youth coach Hugo Pérez argues that the coaching staff already knows the core group In his view evaluating domestic and fringe MLS players now is equally valuable .
It’s good to see if the MLS players are at that level Pérez notes suggesting the Gold Cup is a testing ground rather than a rehearsal .
Tough Schedules Limited Competitive Play
Compared to top teams like Argentina and Spain—who’ve each played over a dozen competitive games in the last year—the USMNT has only managed nine As 2026 hosts they skip the qualifiers reducing exposure to high pressure matches .
Recent results haven’t been reassuring either a group stage exit from Copa América 2024 and a fourth place finish in the Concacaf Nations League .
Ramos stresses You need to have some games where you struggle together and see how you get out of it .
The Five FIFA Windows Left
After the Gold Cup only five FIFA international windows remain before the 2026 World Cup While useful these windows are limited—offering just a handful of friendlies and training days .
Former goalkeeper Kasey Keller cautions that Pochettino still may not fully grasp his player pool .
It really doesn’t look like the coaching staff has any idea who their player base is Keller warns .
Are the Absences a Liability
Pros
- Game time for fringe and domestic players
- Rest and recovery for key stars
- Room for tactical experimentation
Cons
- Lack of familiarity between core players
- Weakened chemistry in high stakes situations
- Little time for team cohesion before the World Cup
Final Verdict
With less than a year until kickoff the USMNT faces a delicate balancing act Pochettino must blend youth depth and experience using limited match opportunities The absence of key players during the Gold Cup is a gamble—it may preserve health but it risks preparedness .
Ultimately the road to 2026 will depend on how effectively the team can reintegrate its stars solidify chemistry and build momentum in the narrow window that remains .