When the United States men's national team takes the field next week against Serbia, with the squad to be announced at noon ET on Wednesday, it will officially open the 2026 World Cup cycle. Call it a soft launch.
The roster won't look anything like the version that advanced from the group stage at the World Cup less than two months ago. It likely won't resemble the team that gathers again in March for CONCACAF Nations League -- or at any point ever again. As usual, this January gathering will serve as more of a glorified talent identification gathering.