Gregg Berhalter opens up about the "joy and elation" of seeing his son Sebastian earn a spot on Mauricio Pochettino’s 2026 World Cup roster.
The emotional landscape of football rarely offers a turnaround as poignant as the one Gregg Berhalter is currently navigating. Two years ago, the man who led the United States to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was facing the professional abyss, having been relieved of his duties following a tumultuous tenure defined as much by off-field drama as on-field results. Today, the bitterness of that exit has been replaced by a singular, paternal pride. As the current head coach of the Chicago Fire, Berhalter recently experienced a moment that transcended the tactical boards and training drills, receiving a FaceTime call that fundamentally shifted his focus from the dugout back to the family living room.
It was a Friday afternoon in Chicago, and Berhalter was already on high alert. He had been tasked with a delicate professional duty: waiting for the official notification regarding his young goalkeeper, Chris Brady, who was hopeful of a spot on Mauricio Pochettino’s 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup. When the news arrived that Brady had indeed made the cut, Berhalter felt the familiar surge of satisfaction that comes with seeing a protégé reach the pinnacle of the sport. But the real emotional payload was delivered just sixty seconds later. His phone buzzed again, this time with the face of his son, Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian, on the screen. The confirmation was immediate: Sebastian was going to the World Cup.
A Journey From the Bleachers to the Pitch
The transformation in Sebastian Berhalter’s career trajectory since the last global tournament is nothing short of extraordinary. In 2022, he was merely another face in the crowd, traveling to Qatar as a member of U.S. Soccer’s "Friends and Family Program" to support the team his father managed. At that time, despite being a professional in MLS, the idea of Sebastian donning the crest on the world’s biggest stage felt like a distant fantasy. He later admitted that during that period, he didn't feel close to the level required for international football, even contemplating walking away from the sport entirely to find a different path. He lived and died with the results as a fan, idolizing the very players he will now call teammates.
The younger Berhalter’s rise has been fueled by a relentless drive at the club level with Vancouver. He played his way into the national team conversation by orchestrating the Whitecaps' run to the Concacaf Champions Cup final, showcasing a maturity and technical range that demanded Pochettino's attention. By the end of 2025, Sebastian had already accumulated nine caps, headlined by a breathtaking long-range strike against Uruguay that served as his definitive arrival on the international scene. While critics once whispered about the potential for nepotism had his father remained in charge, his current selection under a world-class manager like Pochettino has silenced those doubts, proving that his inclusion is based strictly on merit.
Navigating the Pochettino Era
For the elder Berhalter, watching this process from the outside has provided a unique perspective on the selection headaches he once faced. He noted that having been through the ringer as both a player and a manager, he understood the agonizing nature of the waiting game. He had counseled Sebastian to leave everything on the pitch, reminding him that once the final whistle of the domestic season blew, the decision rested entirely in the hands of the coaching staff and their specific tactical vision. The selection of Sebastian over high-profile candidates like Diego Luna or Tanner Tessmann highlights the specific profile Pochettino is looking for in his midfield engine room.
The current U.S. roster is a fascinating hybrid of the past and the future. Exactly half of the 26 players Gregg took to Qatar have retained their spots, creating a strange dynamic where he will be watching his former players compete alongside his son. While some might find the situation awkward, Gregg is adamant that any lingering professional discomfort is dwarfed by the family’s collective joy. The Berhalters are already scrambling to coordinate travel plans for the opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12, even as Gregg’s duties with the Fire demand he return to training just days later before the second Group D match against Australia in Seattle.
The Shadow of the Past
However, the 2026 World Cup will also bring Gregg Berhalter face-to-face with the ghosts of his most difficult chapter. The squad includes Gio Reyna, a player whose relationship with Berhalter became the focal point of a massive internal crisis following the 2022 tournament. The subsequent investigation into a decades-old domestic violence incident involving Gregg and his wife, reported by Claudio and Danielle Reyna, effectively fractured a lifelong friendship and briefly derailed his coaching career. When asked about the prospect of running into the Reyna family in the stadium corridors this summer, Berhalter remained focused, insisting that such thoughts are the last thing on his mind as he prioritizes his son’s moment.
In the quiet moments of reflection, Gregg admits that his dismissal two years ago might have been a hidden blessing for the family dynamic. He pondered the inherent conflict of interest he would have faced had he been the one forced to decide whether or not to select his own son for a World Cup squad. The potential for accusations of bias and the pressure it would have placed on Sebastian could have been overwhelming. Instead, the current arrangement allows Gregg to be exactly what he needs to be: a supporter, a father, and a witness to his son's ascendancy. As the team prepares for the bright lights of June, the narrative has shifted from a coach's survival to a father's elation.
Everything in its Right Place
As the United States prepares to host a tournament of unprecedented scale, the Berhalter family represents the cyclical and often redemptive nature of football. For Gregg, the pain of losing the national team job has been eclipsed by the sight of Sebastian leading his club and now his country with such distinction. The awkwardness of the past, the tactical debates of the present, and the logistical challenges of the future all fade into the background when compared to the simple reality of a dream realized. The FaceTime call from a son to a father wasn't just about a roster spot; it was a signal that the torch had been passed.
With Sebastian now established as a key component of the American midfield, the focus shifts to how this young squad will handle the immense pressure of a home World Cup. For Gregg Berhalter, the transition from being the man in charge to the man in the stands is complete. He is no longer the architect of the American dream, but he is the father of one of its most vital participants. As he prepares to watch the opener in Los Angeles, he does so with the peace of a man who knows that despite the turmoil of the last few years, everything is exactly where it should be. more football news on MATCHLINE
