Mauricio Pochettino Explains Why USMNT's World Cup Snubs Only Received an Email
Mauricio Pochettino didn't pick up the phone. For 29 players who spent years working toward a home World Cup, the news came through an email. Pochettino finalized his 26-man United States Men's National Team roster last week, cutting down from an original group of 55.
Players who made the cut received individual video messages from the head coach. The ones who didn't were informed through a group email notification. The decision drew attention, and Pochettino addressed it directly with reporters in Manhattan.
Drawing from his own playing days, Pochettino said that as a player, he never wanted that call. Hearing a coach say sorry after being left out didn't make it easier.
In most cases, the explanation comes down to one thing. Another player was simply the better fit at that moment. A phone call, he argued, can quickly become more about the coach's conscience than the player's feelings.
"I understand the player, they didn't make the roster, they didn't want to hear me, to say, 'Oh [I] apologize. I care,'" Pochettino told reporters. "Do you know why I care? Because during two weeks, I didn't sleep, and today, I still cannot enjoy the 26 guys that are in front of me because I am thinking about the players that are out. That is about [caring]. It's not to call because if I call, it's about myself. I say, I call. I am very human and give an explanation. Come on. That is [expletive]."
"When I didn't make the roster, I didn't want the coach to call me."
— Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) May 26, 2026
Mauricio Pochettino explains why he chose email over calls for #USMNT players who didn't make the roster pic.twitter.com/DbJxKlLJqA
Pochettino also pushed back on the idea that being left off the roster means a player is done with the national team. He made clear that these decisions come down to form, fit and timing, and that missing this squad doesn't close any doors permanently.
The weight of those calls, he admitted, doesn't leave him quickly. Even after the final 26 were confirmed, his mind kept going back to the players on the outside. He compared that feeling to some of the harder moments in his coaching career, including his departure from Tottenham Hotspur.
USMNT's 26-Man Squad for the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City FC), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergiño Dest (PSV), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)
Midfielders/Wingers: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Tim Weah (Marseille), Alejandro Zendejas (Club América)
Forwards: Folarin Balogun (AS Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Haji Wright (Coventry City)
The World Cup kicks off on home soil this summer. For the 26 players on that list, the real work starts now.
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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 10:48 AM.