In just 14 days, the United States will begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on home soil.
It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the sport in this country, and has been touted as a watershed moment for soccer, despite political tensions, affordability controversies, and a deeply dislikable FIFA at the helm. It's also been hyped as a chance to see how America's "golden generation" performs, with the core of the squad largely in their prime.
Ben Wright
Is that a fair expectation, though? Aside from the term "golden generation", which carries a whole set of issues and expectations that are worth their own discussion, has this squad really gotten better in the four years since 2022? The answer isn't as simple as it might seem.
Today, I'm breaking down each position group to see how the 2022 and 2026 squads stack up, comparing the rosters and looking at some surprising decisions from head coach Mauricio Pochettino. I've tried to be as analytical as possible, but ultimately, this comes down to my opinion. If you have a different thought process, I'd love to hear it (respectfully) in the comments!
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Goalkeeper
I can't make a compelling argument for either the 2022 or 2026 goalkeeper group to be meaningfully better than the other. In 2022, Matt Turner may have been a better 'keeper (he was coming off one of the all-time great MLS seasons in 2021), but was stuck on the bench for Arsenal and hardly playing.
Matt Freese looks like the incumbent starter, and while he's a solid option, he's certainly not at the same level Turner was last cycle. Fortunately, Turner is both back on the USMNT roster and back in New England, where he's once again the best shot-stopper in the MLS. The fact that all three keepers are playing regularly could almost push the 2026 group ahead.
Goalkeeper
Push2022
2026
2022 Turner was a better option than 2026 Freese, but all three 'keepers in 2026 are playing regularly and in good form.
▲ Projected starter
Left back
Antonee "Jedi" Robinson was the only left back on the roster in 2022, and he entered the World Cup in solid form, earning a spot on the EFL Championship Team of the Season after helping Fulham earn promotion back to the Premier League. He certainly hadn't hit his peak in 2022, but was still a high-caliber starter.
Since 2022, Robinson kicked on. He was Fulham's player of the season in 2023-24, and was the best left back in England in 2024-25. Injuries really impacted him in 2025-26, though, and he hasn't come close to reaching his peak level since returning. Max Arfsten brings needed depth at left back and is an exciting attacking option, but neither are currently at the same level as 2022 Robinson.
Left Back
20222022
2026
Robinson hasn't quite reached the same level post-injury, but is still the clear starting option. The emergence of Arfsten as a legitimate backup helps.
▲ Projected starter
Center back
Center back is one of the most worrying aspects of this group. Chris Richards has developed exponentially since 2022 (don't forget, he would have been on the roster if healthy) and is arguably the most important player on the 2026 roster. The rest of this position group, though? Less positive.
Tim Ream is four years older. Which wouldn't be that bad if he hadn't been 35 in 2022. And while he was coming off a season in which he played all 46 matches for Fulham during their promotion from the Championship and looked fully comfortable at the Premier League level, he's started to show his age for Charlotte.
While Walker Zimmerman didn't thrill the fanbase with his inclusion in the starting lineup, he was coming off one of the most dominant runs for an MLS center back, with two-consecutive Defender of the Year awards and four-straight appearances in the Best XI. There's no one playing at that level in the 2026 group.
For my money, a starting duo of Zimmerman and Ream was less worrying than a pairing of Ream and Richards four years later, solely due to Ream's age and inability to cover space. The other options on the roster are about the same, which is an indictment of player development on its own.
Center Back
20222022
2026
Richards is a legitimate upgrade, but Ream has dropped off and is still a starter. No depth has really challenged for spots.
▲ Projected starter
Right back
I debated including Alex Freeman with the center backs, which might have changed the calculus. He's been one of the big success stories of the last cycle, settling into a "flex back" role, playing as a right back in defense and a right center-back in attack.
