Cristian Roldan Feels ‘A Lot Of Pressure’ To Make USA’s 2026 World Cup Squad

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United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino will announce his full 26-player World Cup roster on May 26, and he will be forced to make some difficult decisions.

USA and Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan, who was selected for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, joined First Things First to discuss his feelings ahead of Pochettino’s final decision next month.

“There’s a lot of pressure going into it,” Roldan said on Wednesday’s edition of “First Things First.” “I feel like this time around I feel like I have a lot more to lose, just because I’ve racked up a few more starts with the national team over the last six months.I’m eager, I’m excited, I’m anxious, I’m ready for this to get going and hopefully give myself the best shot of making that squad.”

Roldan has quickly become a favorite of Pochettino’s, playing in eight of the United States’ last 10 matches and starting three.Following USA’s 2-1 win over Australia in October, in which Roldan recorded two assists, Pochettino called the 30-year-old midfielder the “perfect player.”

“[It’s] humbling,” Roldan said.“He’s coachedMessi, Neymar, Mbappé, those are world-class players.It’s a humbling experience … Altogether, I’m just proud to be part of the team right now, to have an opportunity to go to the World Cup.When he says something like that, it definitely helps your case.”

m.ET on May 26.The 2026 World Cup starts June 11.