'I want to be one of the greats': What the World Cup call-up means to Matt Freese

Matt Freese got the announcement he was desperately waiting for when he least expected it.

As Freese explained, it was May 22, and he was at a cafe in Nashville — the day before New York City FC faced Nashville SC. After ordering, Freese glanced at his phone and saw a WhatsApp notification from United States men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Overcome with excitement, Freese couldn't look at the message just yet — he had to pay for his coffee first. Once he got his drink, Freese sat down and watched a 16-second video confirming that he and 25 other players had made the squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

"It was a pretty memorable message to get and a very memorable group chat to be a part of," he said. "To be together in one group is a special feeling, and to be a part of this team is something you dream about."

What USMNT players said about making the World Cup squad

“The team is all in it for the same reason, and that’s to go as far as possible,” said USMNT defender Miles Robinson at the World Cup roster reveal event in Manhattan. More reactions from Pier 17 featuring Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally, Sebastian Berhalter, and Ricardo Pepi.

New York Soccer JournalMatthew Mangam

A year in the making

It's been less than one year since Freese made his debut for the USMNT: a 2-1 loss to Türkiye on June 7, 2025. It was a moment Freese called a 'huge honor,' but knew there was more work to be done to get to a World Cup.