Alex Zendejas of the United States during USMNT Training at RBNY Training Facility on September 5, 2025 in Whippany, New Jersey. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
The U.S. Men's National Team roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set with forward Alex Zendejas making the team.
Each national team has to have at least 23 players and is allowed a maximum of 26 players and at least three goalkeepers are required to be on the roster.
Meet USMNT forward Alex Zendejas
Alejandro Zendejas #17 of the United States scores a goal and celebrates during an international friendly game between Japan and USMNT at Lower.com Field on September 9, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Ima …
Alex Zendejas was born on February 7, 1998, and hails from El Paso, Texas. He joined the USMNT in March 2023 after FIFA approved his switch from the Mexican national team to do so. The move made Zendejas just the fifth player to be capped by both nations.
Zendejas, who wears #26, has picked up 13 caps for the U.S. squad since then, tallying two goals and an assist in that time. His last appearance for the USMNT came in September when he started and scored the opening goal against Japan.
Professionally, Zendejas plays for Mexican soccer titan Club América, having joined the team in 2022. Since then, he helped the team to Liga MX’s first-ever three-peat in the short-tournament era, with Club América claiming the crowns in Apertura 2023, Clausura 2024, and Apertura 2024.
When is the World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins June 11 and ends on July 19.
The group stage
- June 12, 2026: USA vs. Paraguay (Los Angeles Stadium)
- June 19, 2026: USA vs. Australia (Seattle Stadium)
- June 25, 2026: USA vs. Türkiye (Los Angeles Stadium)
These three matches will determine whether the Americans can advance from the group and begin a knockout-stage run in front of a home crowd.
The American team benefits from being seeded as a co-host in the expanded tournament, which could keep them from playing an elite opponent until the round of 16.
The U.S. hopes to advance far in the tournament and show it is making progress in a sport that trails the NFL, MLB and NBA in popularity at home. The Americans are 1-7 in knockout World Cup matches, the only win over regional rival Mexico in 2002.
Since reaching the semifinals of the first World Cup in 1930, the furthest Team USA has advanced was the 2002 quarterfinals. While they have lost eight straight matches to European opponents since 2022, getting outscored 22-6, the Americans have a high level of confidence.
How to watch the World Cup
Outside of watching the championship on live TV, there are several options audiences can choose from to enjoy the soccer matches.
One free option is through FIFA+ and select YouTube streams. It will also be available for free on Australia’s SBS On Demand.
Other paid options include:
The Source: Information for this article was provided by FIFA, the U.S. Men's National Team, and previous FOX Local reporting. This story was reported from Orlando.