Former USMNT player calls out team for ‘diabolical’ way of making cuts ahead of World Cup

The official announcement of the USMNT 2026 World Cup roster won’t officially happen until Tuesday, but insiders are already getting leaked names and insight into the process. One such insider, The Athletic’s Tom Bogert, reported that the team sent 55 emails, informing 26 players they made the team and 29 they did not. The suggestion that the USMNT made its World Cup roster cuts via email didn’t sit well with former national team star Herculez Gomez.

“According to this report, players were informed via email that their World Cup dreams were over,” Gomez tweeted Monday. “This is diabolical if true. Face your players and give them the respect they deserve. Even those who made the team are owed more than just an email. #USMNT”

Gomez, a forward born in Los Angeles and raised in Las Vegas, had a long professional soccer career in the United States and Mexico. He also had 24 caps for the national team, including three appearances in the 2010 World Cup.

The full roster has reportedly been leaked online, although 24 hours ahead of the official release, only one outlet is truly reporting it. There have been a few seemingly confirmed reports, though, such as one about Real Salt Lake teammates Zavier Gozo and Diego Luna, not making the final squad.

In addition to the shock of Luna not making it, the other surprises of the allegedly leaked roster are carrying 10 defenders and just four central or defensive midfielders, and Alejandro Zendejas making it over Tanner Tessmann.

The official USMNT 2026 World Cup roster release happens at 3 pm ET on Tuesday, May 26, on FOX.

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