World Cup 2026: Meet USMNT striker Haji Wright
Haji Wright, player of the 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 striker Haji Wright 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.
World Cup 2026: Meet USMNT striker Haji Wright
Haji Wright of Coventry City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Coventry City at Bramall Lane on February 25, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Haji Wright was born on March 27, 1998, in Los Angeles, California to a father from Ghana and a mother from Liberia. Wright, 28, grew up watching soccer on YouTube and playing in the backyard.
Wright plays for Coventry City FC in England.
He has three siblings, including brother Hanif, who is also a soccer player. Wright's cousin is former NFL running back Joseph Addai, who won Super Bowl XLI with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007.
Wright and his wife Jana married in June 2025 in a ceremony in California.
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.