What is USMNT World Cup roster?

FT Desk

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 3 min read

Christian Pulisic in, Gzasi Zardes out: who are the USA taking to the World Cup in Qatar later this month?

Gregg Berhalter has named his USMNT roster for the upcoming World Cup, and whilst of those included most are familiar faces, there have been a few surprises.

No player in the squad has more goals than Pulisic (21), who despite his ups and downs with Chelsea remains the USA's most important player and captain.

READ: Premier League side willing to pay €45m for Chelsea's Pulisic

He is joined by some usual suspects like his former Reveirderby rival and best friend Weston McKennie, now of Juventus, and Gio Reyna, who, like Pulisic, has broken through at Borussia Dortmund.

A few big players have missed out, however. Zardes would have been the second-most capped player in the squad after DeAndre Yedlin with his 67 senior international outings, but he hasn't been included.

Manchester City owned goalkeeper Zack Steffen, currently on loan with Middlesbrough, has also missed the cut, with Arsenal's Matt Turner likely to be the No.1 at the tournament.

READ: Man City wages: How much does each player earn?

Steffen decision 'heart-breaking'

"Me and Zach go way back, and Zach's been there for me a bunch of times," Berhalter said during Wednesday's press conference to announce the squad. "And to tell him he's not going to be part of the World Cup team was heart-breaking for me."

Malik Tillman might also feel aggrieved, meanwhile. He switched international allegiance from Germany to the USA earlier this year with an eye on the World Cup, but will now be watching from home, if at all.

Another surprise might be the inclusion of striker Haji Wright ahead of Jordan Pefok, who has three goals and three assists for Union Berlin in the Bundesliga this season.

"If we would've made the decision mid-September, Jordan Pefok would've probably been a lock to be in based on his form with Union Berlin," Berhalter said.