The United States are out of the 2026 World Cup, and USMNT fans are depressed.
Today is also the first day since the tournament began that won't feature a single match, so everyone else is depressed.
To lighten the mood, we're embarking on the extremely important and reliable task of predicting the USMNT's 2030 World Cup roster. With just 1,431 days to go until the tournament kicks off in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, how could this possibly be inaccurate?
Still, we'll give it our best shot. Here's our best guess at who could be in the squad and in the larger picture come 2030. As a note, all ages listed are their ages when the tournament begins on June 8, 2030.
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Goalkeepers
New additions: Diego Kochen (24), Brian Schwake (28)
On the bubble: Duran Ferree (23), Gabriel Slonina (26), Roman Celentano (29), Patrick Schulte (29), Andrew Rick (24), Gavin Beavers (25)
Not recalled from 2026: Matt Freese (31)
Aged out: Matt Turner (36)
Chicago Fire 'keeper Chris Brady is one of the best shotstoppers in MLS, and while he may not be the best with the ball at his feet, he's elite at... you know... stopping goals. He'll be 26 in 2030, and looks like a goalkeeper of the future for this team.
Nashville SC 'keeper Brian Schwake has risen rapidly, one of the best 'keepers in MLS in his first full season as a starter and top-tier with the ball at his feet. He could well move back to Europe in the next few seasons, while Diego Kochen is already is already in the Barcelona system and is highly rated.
Goalkeepers like Duran Ferree (San Diego FC) and Gabriel Slonina (Chelsea) are both high-potential, and with regular playing time over the next four years could easily become mainstays.
Matt Freese (New York City FC) didn't really convince in 2026, while Matt Turner (New England Revolution) will be 36.
Center backs
New additions: Noahkai Banks (23), Joshua Wynder (25), George Campbell (29), Jackson Ragen (31)
On the bubble: Jalen Neal (26), Justin Che (26), Cameron Carter-Vickers (32), Neil Pierre (22), Christopher Cupps (22), Thomas Williams (25)
Not recalled from 2026: Auston Trusty (31), Mark McKenzie (31)
Aged out: Tim Ream (42), Miles Robinson (33)
Chris Richards is clearly the best center back in the pool, and while he's not a globally elite player, he's reliable. Barring injury, he'll be around in 2030.
The big question is Noahkai Banks. Will the 19-year-old commit his international future to the United States? And will he fully break out as a senior professional and realize his potential? He has the highest ceiling of any USMNT-eligible defender.
The rest of the center backs here are pretty uninspiring, other than Josh Wynder, who could do with consistent playing time to find his feet. If he doesn't, we'd all better hope for several young defenders to break out in the next four years – the pickings are slim.
Fullbacks
New additions: Luca Bombino (23), Peyton Miller (22), Reed Baker-Whiting (25)
On the bubble: Tate Johnson (24), Max Arfsten (29), John Tolkin (28), Frankie Westfield (24), Kevin Paredes (27), Prince Forfor (21)
Not recalled from 2026: Antonee Robinson (32), Sergiño Dest (29)
Aged out: N/A
Alex Freeman was one of the breakout stories of the World Cup. At just 21 years old, the former Orlando City defender generally played well beyond his years. He's an incredible athlete, tactically versatile, and reads the game well. He looks set to continue his rapid rise with Villarreal, and Mauricio Pochettino's prediction that Freeman will become one of the best in the world doesn't seem too far-fetched.
At 25, Joe Scally has already turned into a reliable, every-game starter at the Bundesliga level. He may never develop into more, but he's a consistent and versatile depth option.
The US have several intriguing young options beginning to break through. 19-year-old Luca Bombino is already one of MLS's most dynamic fullbacks with San Diego FC, while 18-year-old Peyton Miller looks set to make the move from New England to Europe before long. Nashville SC defender Reed Baker-Whiting should also be in play, given his unique two-footedness and ability to play on either side.
Could Antonee Robinson or Sergiño Dest return? Robinson will be 32 and has already begun to deal with nagging injury issues. Dest, on the other hand, has had consistently catastrophic issues with defending, which... you know, is pretty important for a defender.
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Center midfielders
New additions: Adri Mehmeti (21), Taha Habroune (24)
On the bubble: Tanner Tessman (28), Johnny Cardoso (28), Jack McGlynn (27), Rokas Pukštas (25), Matt Corcoran (24), Yunus Musah (27), Benjamin Cremaschi (25), Pedro Soma (24), Brooklyn Raines (25), Snyder Brunell (23), Jude Terry (21)
Not recalled from 2026: N/A
Aged out: Cristian Roldan (35)
If healthy, Tyler Adams should be on the squad. Even if he's not a starter in four years, he's a leader and a reliable player. Sebastian Berhalter impressed off the bench in 2026, and he looks set to make the move to Europe sooner rather than later. If his stock continues to rise, he could be a starter well before 2030 rolls around.
Adri Mehmeti looks like he could be one of the best midfielders the United States has ever produced. At just 17 years old, he already runs the show for the New York Red Bulls and should be a core piece of this team for the next 15 years.
Taha Habroune is another fascinating prospect for the Columbus Crew, able to play a variety of positions and clean on the ball. Some other names could break into the mix, like 21-year-old Rokas Pukštas, a US U23er who currently plays in the Croatian top flight.
Attacking midfielders
New additions: Diego Luna (26), Cavan Sullivan (20)
On the bubble: Paxten Aaronson (26), Niko Tsakiris (24), Aiden Hezarkhani (23)
Not recalled from 2026: Gio Reyna (27), Brenden Aaronson (29)
Aged out: N/A
In retrospect, Diego Luna should have been on the 2026 World Cup roster. He's just 22, still developing, and very unique in this player pool. He'll just be hitting his prime in 2030, and should be much more involved.
16-year-old Philadelphia Union phenom Cavan Sullivan will have made the move to Manchester City by the time the next World Cup roles around. He's one of the highest-potential players to ever come out of America, and could be a fascinating addition to this squad.
Malik Tillman impressed in 2026, and could easily move from Bayer Leverkusen to a bigger club after his World Cup showing. He'll be 28 at the next World Cup, and should still be a factor.
Wingers
New additions: Zavier Gozo (23), Cole Campbell (24)
On the bubble: Mathis Albert (21), Griffin Yow (27), Nimfasha Berchimas (22), Darren Yapi (25),
Not recalled from 2026: Alejandro Zendejas (32), Brenden Aaronson (29), Timothy Weah (30)
Aged out: N/A
Despite a completely anonymous performance in 2026, Christian Pulisic should still be playing at a fairly high level in 2030, when he'll be 31 years old. It's clear that this team needs more options around him, though, and there are some fascinating players in the pipeline.
Zavier Gozo has broken out this season for Real Salt Lake. The 19-year-old attacker already has six goals and five assists in the first 14 matches of the 2026 season, and has electric pace and 1v1 dribbling ability.
Cole Campbell is a highly-touted prospect for Borussia Dortmund, and looks set to join Elversberg after making five appearances for Dortmund. He's just 20 years old, and with another four years of European experience, he could be a massive addition to the roster.
Forwards
New additions: Julian Hall (22)
On the bubble: Justin Ellis (23), Malik Jakupovic (23), Patrick Agyemang (29), Damion Downs (27)
Not recalled from 2026: Haji Wright (32)
Aged out: N/A
At just 18 years old, Julian Hall is already one of the best strikers in MLS. He's logged nine goals and four assists for the New York Red Bulls this season, earning the starting job under former USMNT legend Michael Bradley. The United States will have to win a recruiting battle with Poland, but Hall looks like a potential game-changer up top.
Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi will be in their prime years in 2030, and both look set to move to bigger clubs in the near future. This is one of the few positions on the roster that feels in good shape.
Projected XI
