World Cup 2026: Meet USMNT defender Sergiño Dest
Sergiño Dest, player of United States, poses with his jersey during the United States World Cup roster reveal on May 26, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
The U.S. Men's National Team roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set with defender Sergiño Dest 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. Team USA has 26 players.
Meet Team USA defender Sergiño Dest
FILE - Sergino Dest of PSV Eindhoven controls the ball during the Dutch Eredivisie match between PSV Eindhoven and FC Twente at Philips Stadion on May 17, 2026 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Marcel ter Bals/ DeFodi Images/ DeFodi via Getty Imag
Dest was born November 3, 2000, in the Netherlands and has dual nationality, making him eligible to play for either team, but has committed his international future to the United States.
He was on the United States’ roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Before that, he’s also played with Ajax, Barcelona and AC Milan.
He also made history when he was the first American to play and score for FC Barcelona, with his $25 million transfer deal being the second-highest for an American.
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.