World Cup 2026: Meet USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie
The US Men's National Team's (USMNT) midfielder Weston McKennie poses with his jersey during the announcement of the USMNT 2026 World Cup roster in New York, on May 26, 2026. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP via Getty Images)
The U.S. Men's National Team roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set with midfielder Weston McKennie 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 midfielder Weston McKennie
Weston McKennie #8 of USA moves along the sideline during a Concacaf Nations League game between Panama and USMNT at SoFi Stadium on March 20, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Weston McKennie was born August 28, 1998, in Little Elm, Texas. A former U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year (2020), McKennie has played an important role for the U.S. Men’s National Team since his debut in 2017 at the age of 19 when he scored a goal in a 1-1 draw against Portugal.
He took home the CONCACAF Nations Best Player award for 2019-20 after a campaign in which he set a USMNT record for fastest hat trick, needing only 13 minutes to score three times against Cuba. In his time with the USMNT, they have won three National League titles (2021, 2023, and 2024) and has been described as "a cornerstone of the team's regional dominance."
McKennie, who wears #8 for the USMNT, also plays for European soccer titan Juventus and recently signed a contract extension that will keep him with the Italian team through 2030.
The star midfielder credits his father, a retired U.S. Air Force staff sergeant, for instilling in him discipline and a work ethic.
Also, don’t worry. If you see a lightning bolt that isn’t a Harry Potter-like scar, it’s just a tattoo. Of course, he has been known to try casting a spell with his hands after a goal.
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.