World Cup 2026: Meet USMNT midfielder Cristian Roldan
MARIETTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 24: Cristian Roldan of the United States during the USMNT training at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground on March 24, 2026 in Marietta, Georgia. (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 midfielder Cristian Roldan 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 Cristian Roldan
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12: Cristian Roldan #10 of United States takes a penalty kick during the penalty kick shootout during the Semifinal match of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup against Panama at Snapdragon Stadium on July 12, 2023 in San Diego, C
Cristian Roldan was born June 3, 1995, in Pico Rivera, California. The midfielder, who wears #15, has been with the USMNT for nearly 10 years having made his debut with the team in July 2017. He was on the national team in 2022 when it advanced to the Round of 16.
A two-time champion as a member of the Seattle Sounders, in 2016 and 2019, he also captained the MLS All-Stars in the 2021 All-Star Game. In 2013, he was named National High School Player of the Year after a senior season in which he scored 54 goals and had 31 assists.
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.