Today is the day Mauricio Pochettino stands in front of the country and says, out loud, this is our team. After months of leaks, debates, omissions, and speculation, the 26 men representing the United States at a home World Cup will be official by 3 p.m. ET. The game never stops and neither do we. Welcome to the SDH Network, Around the Corner from Everywhere.

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There is something different about a home World Cup roster reveal. These are not just names on a list. They are the players who will carry the weight of an entire country's expectations on American soil, in American stadiums, in front of American families who may be watching their first World Cup match in person. And tonight, after the ceremony at Pier 17, they fly to Atlanta to start preparing for all of it. This edition covers the roster, the fallout from Spain's announcement, Saturday's Champions League final in Budapest, and everything else moving in the world game on one of the biggest soccer days this country has seen in a very long time.

Today is the day. Mauricio Pochettino will stand on the rooftop of Pier 17 at South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan at 3 p.m. ET and formally announce the 26-man USMNT squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It's live on FOX, hosted by a who's-who panel of U.S. Soccer royalty including Landon Donovan, Alexi Lalas, Carli Lloyd, and Stu Holden. That evening, the delegation flies to Atlanta, with training camp opening Wednesday at the Arthur M. Blank National Training Center in Fayetteville, GA.

The leaked roster, reported by both The Guardian and The Athletic last weekend, stripped away most of the suspense around today's ceremony. But that doesn't make it any less significant. This is the official, final, no-more-debating-it list. And there is still plenty to talk about.

The headline surprises from the reported squad are the exclusions of Tanner Tessmann and Diego Luna. Tessmann, 24, appeared in six training camps under Pochettino and started 22 of Lyon's 29 Ligue 1 matches this season, along with nine Europa League appearances. Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni did not hide his disappointment when asked about Luna and Zavier Gozo over the weekend, telling reporters, "I feel bad for the guys. Disappointed for them, hurt for them." Aidan Morris, whose performances were central to Middlesbrough's promotion, is also reportedly out.

The inclusion that is not getting talked about enough is Alejandro Zendejas. The Club América winger hadn't been called into camp since September and was left out of the March friendlies against Belgium and Portugal. But he finished the Liga MX Clausura playoffs in brilliant form, scoring a brace and adding an assist in the second leg against Pumas, beating Keylor Navas in the process. Pochettino had said publicly that Zendejas "can adapt well to the group dynamic," and the numbers at the end backed him up.

Christian Pulisic has gone scoreless in 21 consecutive appearances for club and country dating back to December, the worst drought of his career. His last three AC Milan appearances came off the bench, and Milan finished fifth in Serie A, missing the Champions League for the second consecutive year. Pochettino needs Pulisic healthy and sharp in a matter of weeks. The good news elsewhere: Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, and Ricardo Pepi combined for 56 goals in 119 appearances across all competitions this season. The attack has firepower. Whether Pulisic can find his form before June 12 is the real question.

Center back Chris Richards suffered ligament damage to his left ankle last week, missing Crystal Palace's final match, and his availability for the World Cup opener is in question. He is expected to miss today's Pier 17 event due to Crystal Palace's Conference League commitments and will report to camp later in the week. At center back more broadly, Tim Ream and Miles Robinson both battled injuries this spring and were inconsistent when available. It is the position of greatest concern for this squad heading into the tournament.

When Spain announced its 26-man World Cup squad on Monday, the absence that dominated the conversation was not a player but a club. For the first time in memory, Real Madrid does not have a single representative in the Spanish national team's World Cup roster. Not one. Luis de la Fuente did not flinch when asked about it.

"For me, the greatest team there is, the very greatest, is the Spanish national team," de la Fuente said. "I don't look at where players come from or their background. What matters are Spanish players who are proud to represent their country." He added the line that will follow him all summer: "I am the only person whose interests here are purely sporting, since I'm the one putting my job at risk."

The omissions are genuinely significant. Dani Carvajal, who has given years of distinguished service to the national team, is out. So is defender Dean Huijsen, who had been a regular in recent call-up cycles. Former captain Alvaro Morata is also absent. De la Fuente acknowledged the weight of those decisions, saying of Carvajal and Morata, "I'm going to miss them personally and professionally because they have been two captains who left an exceptional legacy." But he was clear that the page has turned.

What Spain does have is a Barcelona-heavy spine. Eight players from the Camp Nou make the squad, including Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Joan Garcia, and Lamine Yamal. Seven more are based in the Premier League. Spain open Group H against Cape Verde, then face Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. De la Fuente may be cautious early with Yamal, Nico Williams, and Mikel Merino, all of whom are managing fitness concerns coming out of the club season.

On Yamal specifically, de la Fuente was not worried. "Yamal is absolutely thrilled and raring to go," he said. "He's a very young lad, just 18, but he has a remarkable sense of maturity and knows that this is his moment." The European champions arrive at this World Cup as one of the favorites. Whether the absence of Madrid's players becomes a storyline or a footnote depends entirely on what happens in June and July.

With the World Cup less than three weeks away and rosters dropping by the hour, it feels right to remember why any of this matters. Víctor Hugo Morales is the legendary Argentine voice of a generation, and his call of Argentina's 1986 semifinal victory over Belgium in Guadalajara captures something special. The urgency, the joy, the pure poetry of a man trying to keep up with something he knows is historic. Diego Maradona played one of his best ever matches that day, and Morales turned each of his goals into literature. If you want to understand what the World Cup means to the people who grew up with it, start here.

Saturday in Budapest, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal play for the Champions League. PSG are the defending champions looking to become back-to-back winners. Arsenal are the newly-crowned Premier League champions chasing the first European title in the club's history. The setup could not be better.

Arsenal clinched the Premier League last week with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace, ending years of near-misses and runner-up finishes. Manager Mikel Arteta has been deliberate about not letting his squad linger in the celebrations. "We need that energy to flow and going against that, I think it will be a big mistake," Arteta said. "We talked about already what we have to do in Budapest, how we're going to use all the incredible energy that we're all carrying towards that final." He has been direct about what Saturday means: "We can't wait to write a new chapter in the history of our club and lift the Champions League."

PSG arrive as the more experienced side in this specific setting, and midfielder Vitinha pushed back on the idea that last year's final experience is an automatic advantage. "The Champions League final is the Champions League final," he said. "Last year was last year, it's different. There's only one match." He also offered a revealing look at how sharp this PSG midfield feels heading in: "We're already perfectly synchronized; we know what's going to happen. When it's like this, we know what's going to happen, and the opponent doesn't. It's very difficult to follow." That is not a boast. That is a warning.

The injury picture for PSG has cleared considerably. Both Ousmane Dembélé, who had been dealing with muscle fatigue, and Achraf Hakimi, who sustained a thigh injury in the semifinal against Bayern Munich, are expected to participate in training and appear on track to be available Saturday. Luis Enrique looks set to have his full squad. Arsenal, fresh off the title, arrive with momentum. PSG arrive with experience. Something has to give in Budapest, and it will be worth every minute of the watch.

Less than three weeks out. Rosters are dropping, camps are opening, and the world is showing up. Tuesday is the USMNT's day in New York, but the broader picture of who will be on the field this summer is coming into sharp focus across every confederation. The tournament feels real now in a way it didn't even a week ago.

On The Field

The injury watch is the dominant storyline across multiple squads. Lionel Messi left Inter Miami's final MLS match before the World Cup break grabbing the back of his left leg, though Inter Miami's medical staff described the issue as muscle fatigue in his left hamstring rather than a structural concern. Argentina opens its title defense against Algeria in Kansas City on June 18. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is also dealing with a broken finger suffered before the Europa League final and is expected to miss both of Argentina's warm-up matches. Co-host Canada is managing a careful plan around Alphonso Davies, who has not played since tearing his ACL in March 2025. Coach Jesse Marsch said Davies will report to camp May 31 and is unlikely to be ready for the June 12 opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, but expects him to play in the tournament. Australia has lost attacking midfielder Riley McGree to a hamstring injury sustained with Middlesbrough, a real blow for the Socceroos heading into a group that includes co-host United States. Panama's Adalberto “Coco” Carrasquilla left the Liga MX final on a stretcher in tears with a left adductor strain but is expected to rehabilitate with the national team and could be available for Panama's opener against Ghana on June 17.

Off The Field

Canada Soccer confirmed a four-year contract extension with Jesse Marsch on Monday, keeping him through the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. The timing matters: Marsch took over a program in disarray and has built genuine belief heading into a home tournament. FOX Sports is treating this summer as the biggest production in company history, with a road-show studio format modeled on its college football coverage. The network's marquee pre-tournament piece is a conversation between Tom Brady and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the full release dropping next Tuesday. And for anyone who needed a reminder of how much this tournament has captured the broader American public, research heading into the summer shows that 37 percent of the general U.S. population expects their interest in soccer to increase over the next 18 months, with 25 percent of World Cup fans planning to attend matches in person.

Colombia locks in James and Díaz: Néstor Lorenzo named his 26-man roster Monday with James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz headlining the squad. The Cafeteros face Uzbekistan, Congo DR, and Portugal in Group K. Notable omissions include Rafael Borré, Wilmar Barrios, and Sebastián Villa.

DR Congo returns after 52 years: The Leopards have opened their training camp in Brussels, Belgium, with warm-up matches against Denmark and Chile scheduled before their Group K opener. DR Congo last appeared at a World Cup in 1974.

Japan camp opens in Chiba: Several Europe-based players returned home Monday for a public training session. The Samurai Blue depart for a pre-tournament camp in Monterrey on June 2 before settling in Nashville for the tournament. They open Group F against the Netherlands in Dallas on June 14.

Uruguay drops Nández for non-sporting reasons: Marcelo Bielsa left out midfielder Nahitan Nández from Uruguay's World Cup squad for reasons described as non-technical. Nández appeared in 13 of 18 qualifying matches and the exclusion has generated significant controversy in Uruguayan football circles.

Ghana without Kudus: Tottenham forward Mohamed Kudus has been ruled out of the World Cup after a quad injury in January led to a setback in his recovery. He has not played since earlier this season. Coach Carlos Queiroz will rely on Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams up front.

Phil Neville Out in Portland: The Portland Timbers and head coach Phil Neville have mutually parted ways following a 3-1 loss to San Jose that left the club 13th in the Western Conference at 4-8-2. General manager Ned Grabavoy said results had "fallen well short of expectations" after offseason discussions about needed improvements. Neville made the playoffs in both of his previous two seasons but departs with the club sitting three points above last-place Sporting KC. He is the third MLS head coach to leave in the last nine days and the sixth of the season.

U-20 USWNT Drawn into Group D in Poland: The United States will face Italy, Japan, and New Zealand in Group D at the 2026 U-20 Women's World Cup, set for September 5-27 in Poland. The Americans open against Italy on September 6 in Lodz, face Japan on September 9, and close group play against New Zealand on September 12 in Sosnowiec. The tournament has expanded from 16 to 24 teams. The U.S. finished third in 2024, its best result since winning the title for the third time in 2012.

U-17 USWNT Headed to Morocco: The United States will play in Group E at the 2026 U-17 Women's World Cup, October 17 through November 8 in Morocco, facing China, Samoa, and the qualifying representative from the 2026 Africa U-17 Women's Championship.

SDH AM — Live this morning at 9:05 with Jon Nelson hosting. MLS and NWSL commentator Kacey White joins to break down both leagues as they head into the World Cup break, and USL Show's Kaylor Hodges stops by to survey where things stand across the lower division landscape. A good morning to tune in with the domestic game pausing and plenty to sort through.

Atlanta Soccer Tonight — Tonight at 10 p.m. on 92.9 The Game, the Audacy app, and the 92.9 The Game YouTube channel. Jason is live with the USMNT roster reveal fresh off the afternoon announcement, the Champions League final build, and everything else that made Tuesday one of the biggest soccer days of the year.

Atlanta Beltline Fest Brings Free World Cup Celebration to Pittsburgh Yards: The Atlanta Beltline will host a free two-day festival at Pittsburgh Yards on June 20-21, celebrating the World Cup with live match screenings, local music, food vendors, cultural performances, and family programming along the newly opened Southside Trail. The weekend centerpiece is a watch party on Sunday, June 21 for the Spain vs. Saudi Arabia match being played here in Atlanta. Doors open at 10 a.m. both days and the event runs until 7 p.m. Pittsburgh Yards is located at 352 University Ave. SW. The festival arrives as the Beltline reaches a milestone of its own, with 18.3 miles of completed paved trail connecting the Eastside, Southside, and Westside corridors for the first time. Free, all-ages, and right on the Beltline. Put it on the calendar.

AC Milan Fires Allegri, Cleans House After Catastrophic Finish: RedBird dismissed head coach Massimiliano Allegri, CEO Giorgio Furlani, sporting director Igli Tare, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada on Monday after Milan blew a Champions League berth by losing to Cagliari on the final day. The club called the collapse "an unequivocal failure." Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains as special adviser and is expected to work closely with managing partner Gerry Cardinale to rebuild the football operation, with Xavi and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola among the reported coaching candidates.

Eriksen and Wolfsburg Relegated After Playoff Heartbreak: Wolfsburg dropped out of the Bundesliga on Monday after losing to second-division Paderborn 2-1 on aggregate, with the decisive goal coming in extra time. It is Wolfsburg's first relegation since 1997. Christian Eriksen, who captained the side in the deciding match, ends a deeply disappointing debut season with the club.

Khadija Shaw Signs Four-Year Extension with Manchester City: The WSL Golden Boot winner, who scored 21 league goals this season, confirmed she is staying at Manchester City through 2030, turning down a reported offer from Chelsea worth at least £1 million per year. Shaw made the announcement during the club's joint title parade Monday, telling the crowd, "I'm still here, I'm still hungry and there's no place I'd rather be."

Liga MX Femenil Claims Title of World's Most-Watched Women's League: Liga MX Femenil closed its Clausura season with 22 million viewers on free-to-air television and nearly 20 million more on its streaming platform, surpassing the NWSL, the Frauen-Bundesliga, and the Women's Super League in global viewership. The Clausura final between América and Monterrey drew 26,670 fans in attendance.

Nice Faces World Cup Roster Drain Ahead of Ligue 1 Survival Playoff: Nice must play Saint-Étienne in a two-legged promotion-relegation playoff with a severely depleted squad after FIFA rejected France's request to delay player releases for the World Cup. Nice could lose up to nine players to international duty for the matches, including players from Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Algeria, Ghana, Canada, and Egypt.

Real Madrid Presidential Race Scrambles Mourinho Coaching Plans: Challenger Enrique Riquelme's decision to stand against Florentino Pérez in Real Madrid's presidential election has complicated the club's pursuit of José Mourinho, whose release clause from Benfica expired Monday. With the election requiring a formal vote, Madrid cannot move on a new coach before polls close, and Mourinho's exit from Lisbon will now require a full negotiation rather than a fixed fee.

Boca Juniors Fined by CONMEBOL for Racist Incidents: CONMEBOL's Disciplinary Committee sanctioned Boca Juniors with a $100,000 fine following racist conduct by supporters during a Copa Libertadores match against Cruzeiro. The club must also display anti-discrimination messaging on stadium screens and social media platforms at their next home match.

The World Cup does not wait for anyone to feel ready. Christian Pulisic boards a flight to New York without a goal in five months. Lionel Messi walks off a field grabbing his hamstring with 23 days until Argentina defends its title. Alphonso Davies is doing rehab in Munich while Canada counts the days. The greatest players on earth arrive at the greatest stage carrying doubt, rust, injuries, and unfinished business, and then the ball drops and none of it matters anymore. That is not a problem with this World Cup. That is the whole point of it.

Song of the Day: "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield. No one knows how this ends, and that is exactly why we show up.

Jason