Gio Reyna and Alejandro Zendejas shared their relief and joy after being named to Mauricio Pochettino’s 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup.
The atmosphere at Pier 17 in Lower Manhattan felt more like a high-energy music festival than a traditional sports announcement. Against the iconic backdrop of the Brooklyn Bridge, the United States Men’s National Team unveiled the 26 players tasked with leading the nation into a home World Cup. Amid the flashing lights and the roar of rowdy supporters, the human stories behind the selection began to emerge, painted in shades of relief, redemption, and overwhelming emotion. For Gio Reyna, the journey to this stage has been a four-year odyssey of injury and internal strife, while for newcomers like Alejandro Zendejas, it represented the sudden, tearful realization of a lifelong obsession. As the players stepped onto the stage in their sharp grey suits, the weight of the moment was visible in every handshake and wide-eyed glance toward the crowd.
Gio Reyna’s inclusion was perhaps the most scrutinized decision on Mauricio Pochettino’s list. Four years ago in Qatar, Reyna was the 19-year-old prodigy whose lack of playing time sparked a civil war within the American soccer establishment. Since then, his career has been a stop-start battle against his own body, with a series of injuries limiting him to a mere handful of appearances across the last four European seasons. At Borussia Mönchengladbach this year, he started only four matches and found the net just once. Yet, Pochettino sees something in the son of Claudio Reyna that transcends simple match fitness. The manager described him as a "special talent" who provides a creative spark that few others in the pool can replicate, a player whose tactical flexibility makes him indispensable for a tournament of this magnitude.
The Anxiety of the Waiting Room
Despite his status as a technical cornerstone of the squad, Reyna admitted that he did not feel like a lock for the roster. He spent the days leading up to the announcement in a state of nervous anticipation, sitting with his wife and waiting for the official email from U.S. Soccer. When the confirmation finally arrived, the first call was to his parents, the former national team captains who have lived every high and low of his career. Reyna spoke of the relief that washed over him, a far cry from the expectation he felt as a teenager in 2022. This time, the spot was not merely gifted by potential; it was a hard-earned survival through the most difficult period of his professional life.
Reyna’s perspective has clearly shifted since the drama of the last cycle. He is now one of the 13 holdovers from the Qatar squad, a veteran presence at just 23 years old. He understands the responsibility of being the creative heartbeat of a team that has occasionally struggled to break down disciplined defences. Pochettino’s endorsement was emphatic, with the Argentine manager noting that every successful roster needs a player with Reyna’s unique vision. The challenge now is whether his body can withstand the rigours of a two-month campaign, but for one balmy afternoon in New York, the only focus was the joy of being back in the fold.
Zendejas and the Shock of the Call-Up
If Reyna’s story is one of redemption, Alejandro Zendejas’ is one of pure, unadulterated shock. The Liga MX standout has been on the fringes of the national team for months, missing out on Pochettino’s last three camps. He admitted that when he opened the email confirming his place in the squad, the weight of the achievement caused him to break down in tears. It was a moment of vulnerability that underscored the stakes involved for those who operate on the bubble of international selection. Zendejas had watched from afar as his teammates gathered for friendlies in the fall and spring, fearing that his chance to represent the U.S. on home soil had slipped through his fingers.
Pochettino, however, was keeping a close eye on the winger’s tactical evolution. The manager specifically highlighted Zendejas’ ability to operate as a true wide player while also possessing the intelligence to tuck inside as an interior midfielder. This versatility was a key factor in his selection, particularly as the coaching staff looks to build a squad capable of shifting formations mid-match. Beyond the technical attributes, Pochettino emphasized the human quality Zendejas brings to the group. In a tournament where 26 players must live in close quarters for eight weeks, the "positive energy" and rapport that Zendejas shares with his teammates were deemed just as valuable as his eye for goal.
The Cruel Reality of the Final Cut
For every moment of jubilation on Pier 17, there was a corresponding heartbreak somewhere else. Pochettino was visibly affected by the decisions he had to make, admitting that the process of narrowing the 55-man provisional list down to 26 kept him awake for weeks. He described the final cuts as "agonizing," refusing to discuss the specific omissions of players like Tanner Tessmann and Diego Luna out of respect for those who were selected. The manager’s refusal to engage in a debate over who was left out was a firm stance on squad unity, making it clear that once the decision was made, the focus must remain entirely on the group heading into camp.
The omission of Luna was particularly surprising to many observers, given his consistent performances in MLS and his heavy involvement in the national team over the previous year. However, a lingering injury and the specific tactical needs of Pochettino’s system ultimately saw him fall just short. The manager emphasized that the selection process was the culmination of 18 months of intensive scouting, aimed not just at finding the best individuals, but at constructing a functional unit capable of deep run into the knockout stages. The ruthlessness of the selection is a hallmark of Pochettino’s leadership style—a belief that the collective must always outweigh the individual.
Preparation Meets Opportunity in New York
The roster reveal event served as the unofficial kickoff for the United States’ World Cup campaign. Joined by guests like the rapper Gunna, the squad showcased a image of modern, multicultural America, a team that reflects the nation it represents. The identical grey suits and the rows of red-and-white jerseys provided a visual representation of the unity Pochettino is trying to instill. With training beginning immediately in Atlanta, the transition from celebration to preparation will be swift. The friendlies against Senegal and Germany looming on the horizon will provide the first real test of how this specific group of 26 will function under the lights.
For the players, the glamour of the New York event will soon be replaced by the humidity of the training pitch and the tactical demands of a world-class coaching staff. The tears of joy shed by Zendejas and the quiet relief of Reyna must now be channeled into the work required to compete with the world's elite. As Pochettino noted, he cannot yet enjoy the squad he has picked because he is still thinking of those left behind. The only way to justify those difficult choices is through performance. The stage is set, the roster is locked, and for the 26 men in those grey suits, the opportunity of a lifetime has finally arrived. more football news on MATCHLINE
