With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just around the corner, anticipation is reaching fever pitch across the globe—and nowhere more so than in the United States, one of the three host nations. On December 1, 2025, FOX Sports analysts and former U.S. men’s national team stars Landon Donovan, Stu Holden, Cobi Jones, and Alexi Lalas weighed in on which American players could make or break the United States’ campaign in this historic, expanded tournament. As the U.S. squad gears up to compete on home soil alongside Mexico and Canada, these experts’ picks spotlight the talents and personalities expected to define the team’s fortunes.
The 2026 World Cup is a landmark event, featuring 48 teams—the largest field in the tournament’s storied history. As of December 1, 2025, 42 nations have already punched their ticket, with the remaining six spots to be decided in March 2026 through a series of high-stakes playoffs. The draw for the tournament groups is set to take place on December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., setting the stage for a summer of unforgettable soccer drama.
With so much at stake, the focus for the U.S. men’s national team has turned to the players who can carry the hopes of a nation. FOX Sports’ panel of seasoned veterans didn’t hesitate to highlight four names: Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Chris Richards, and Weston McKennie. Each brings a unique skill set and personality, and all four will be pivotal if the U.S. is to make a deep run on home turf.
Christian Pulisic, the 27-year-old forward currently starring for AC Milan in Italy, is seen as the linchpin of the American attack. Stu Holden, a former U.S. midfielder and now a respected analyst, put it plainly: “The first and obvious name is Christian Pulisic. He is the U.S.’s star player and I truly believe that the U.S. will only go as far as Pulisic can take them.” That’s high praise, but it’s grounded in reality. Pulisic’s ability to deliver in clutch moments—think back to his heroics in Qatar—could be the difference when the U.S. faces the world’s elite. Holden emphasized the importance of Pulisic being healthy, confident, and in sync with his teammates, especially when opportunities are scarce against heavyweights like Argentina or Spain. “When you’re going to get that one chance in the game, you want that chance to fall to the feet of Christian Pulisic,” Holden insisted.
No less crucial is Folarin Balogun, the 24-year-old forward lighting up Ligue 1 with AS Monaco. Landon Donovan, the legendary U.S. goal-scorer, was effusive in his praise: “I was at the Ecuador game in Austin and that was the first time I’d seen Flo Balogun play live, and he’s different—he’s different than anything we have.” Balogun’s movement, vision, and killer instinct around the box set him apart from the rest of the American front line. “He needs to be fit and healthy, but when he is, he’s a true difference-maker,” Donovan added. With Balogun in form, the U.S. attack gains a new dimension, complementing Pulisic’s creativity with a predatory edge.
Defensive solidity, meanwhile, will rest on the broad shoulders of Chris Richards. At 25, the Crystal Palace defender has blossomed into a reliable presence at the back. Alexi Lalas, never one to mince words, admitted he was initially skeptical: “It’s very, very rare, but every once in a while, I’m wrong. I will raise my hand and say I didn’t see it when Chris Richards first came onto the scene, and I think that that’s fair; I can defend that. But I think he has grown by leaps and bounds, and it’s been wonderful to see—so much so that I think he’s in as a starter.” Lalas underscored the importance of defense as the tournament progresses: “You’re going to need defense, and you’re going to need defenders, and I think he’s coming into what is obviously a home World Cup, but I also think he’s coming in with incredible confidence.” Richards’ blend of ruthlessness and joy could prove invaluable as the U.S. navigates the pressures of a home World Cup.
In the engine room, Weston McKennie brings both versatility and infectious energy. The 27-year-old Juventus midfielder is renowned for his tireless work rate and team-first attitude. Cobi Jones summed it up with a nod to McKennie’s nickname from his days at Schalke: “Spasskanone. You know what that is? ‘The Fun Cannon.’ That was his nickname when he was at Schalke, and what that tells me is there’s a personality he brings to the team: playing hard and having a fun time while doing it.” McKennie’s ability to play multiple roles—whether as a box-to-box midfielder, a second striker, or even at right back—gives the U.S. tactical flexibility. Jones added, “Weston McKennie gives you that, especially now with how he’s playing at Juventus and his positioning… He’s been that utilitarian player and played right back; he can do it all. Remember: this is a game, and you have to have some light moments when you’re stressed, and he brings that along with the work rate that he gives that I don’t think any other player on that team can do.”
As the U.S. prepares for the group draw, the broader tournament picture is coming into focus. The 2026 World Cup’s expanded format means more teams, more matches, and more opportunities for surprises. Host nations Canada, Mexico, and the United States are joined by a diverse field: Asian powers like Japan and South Korea; African contenders including Senegal and Morocco; European giants such as France, Germany, and England; and South American heavyweights Argentina and Brazil. New Zealand represents Oceania, while Curaçao, Haiti, and Panama round out the CONCACAF qualifiers so far.
But the field isn’t quite set. Six berths remain up for grabs, with a dramatic set of playoffs scheduled for March 2026. The intercontinental playoff will see DR Congo, Iraq, Bolivia, New Caledonia, Jamaica, and Suriname battle for two spots, while a 16-team European playoff will determine the final four UEFA representatives. The draw on December 5 will reveal the matchups and set the tone for a tournament that promises to be as unpredictable as it is thrilling.
For American fans, the spotlight will be on Pulisic, Balogun, Richards, and McKennie—players whose performances could propel the U.S. to new heights. With excitement building and the world watching, the stage is set for a summer of soccer that could define a generation. The countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, with all eyes on the stars who just might make history on home soil.