The United States men’s national team are 203 days away from kicking off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, and Yunus Musah is doing everything he can to be on Mauricio Pochettino’s roster for that opening game on June 12.
Musah played a prominent role at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, starting all four matches played as USMNT escaped a group containing England, Wales and Iran before falling to the Netherlands in the Round of 16.
This time around, the World Cup is on home soil and excitement levels are rapidly building towards a tournament that is being co-hosted by Mexico and Canada.
“The World Cup is the world's biggest sporting event. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that? It's such a huge thing and you’ll remember it forever,” Musah tells “You go through amazing moments together, and they're the best matches that a footballer wants to play.”
The 22-year-old midfielder is finding his feet this season with a new club, having joined Serie A side Atalanta in the summer on loan—he’d spent the previous two campaigns with AC Milan, alongside fellow American standout, Christian Pulisic.
So far, Musah has struggled to find minutes, but he remains confident that he can crack the Serie A side’s starting lineup in the near future and battle his way into a highly competitive USMNT roster.
“[There have been] lots of opportunities to see lots of different players, and it’s been a great opportunity for everyone,” he says. “We have a big selection of players that can go to the national team, which is a bonus, like you can call up so many different guys.
“I've been a part of the national team in so many games, so I obviously love it, and it's a shame that I wasn’t there, but I'm working hard to go back.”
While the limited minutes at Atalanta may have cost him a role with the USMNT in the final camp of the year, with the squad picking up wins against South American World Cup-bound sides, Paraguay and Uruguay, he’s not far off.
Pochettino called up 71 players in 2025, and Musah ranked 24th in appearances, with two caps at the March Concacaf Nations League finals. Now, the focus is on the long season and ensuring he is on the team for March friendlies, which could set the stage for the final World Cup squad.
