World Cup 2026: US Betting on 'Veteran' with 80 Caps

According to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in the U.S., during a press conference on May 30, the Argentine manager praised Ream as a "positive leader," while affirming that the 38-year-old defender possesses the experience and ability to lead the U.S. team at the world's biggest football event.

Debuting for the U.S. in 2010, Ream has earned 80 caps and played the full 90 minutes in all four of America's matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He has captained the U.S. 26 times, ranking eighth in the team's history for most appearances as captain. Ream shared: "I am truly honored to continue in this role at the World Cup. It is something I never take for granted."

Coach Pochettino's decision reflects a priority on experience and leadership as the U.S. team prepares for a World Cup held on home soil. Under the Argentine tactician, Ream has worn the captain's armband in 16 of the team's 23 matches.

For Pochettino, this is a decision rooted in trust. But for many fans, it quickly sparked debate over age, pace, and Ream's actual role in the squad. The biggest concern is not that Ream was given the captaincy, but whether it means he will start regularly at the World Cup.

The appointment of Ream comes as Chris Richards is still racing against time to recover ahead of the opening match against Paraguay on June 12, leaving the U.S. defense unsettled. Coach Pochettino stated that Richards will continue his recovery rather than play in the friendly against Senegal. This makes Ream's role even more crucial, whether he starts or serves as a team leader off the pitch.

Coach Pochettino has chosen a guiding voice for the U.S. team. Now, it is up to Tim Ream to prove that trust and dispel doubts ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Ream is just one of several leaders on the U.S. team, including midfielder Tyler Adams. Adams captained the U.S. at the 2022 World Cup and was the tournament's youngest captain since 1950.

Christian Pulisic – the latest in a long line of U.S. players nicknamed "Captain America" by fans – has frequently worn the armband for the national team, including at the Copa America in the summer of 2024, the team's most recent major tournament. However, under Head Coach Pochettino, Pulisic has not regularly held the captaincy, having only served as captain twice. The most recent occasion was in a match against Australia, when he left the field in the 31st minute due to injury.

Other players who have worn the captain's armband under Head Coach Pochettino include Matt Turner, Miles Robinson, Mark McKenzie, and Chris Richards.

Pulisic (84 caps) and Ream (80 caps) are the two most-capped players in the U.S. squad for the 2026 World Cup.

As one of three co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the U.S. team aims to surpass their round-of-16 finish in Qatar 2022. Under Coach Pochettino, the U.S. will open their World Cup campaign against Paraguay on June 12 in the Los Angeles area. They will then face Australia in Seattle on June 19 and play Turkey on June 25 in Los Angeles. Group D will conclude with the clash against Turkey in Southern California on June 25.

Although the June 12 matchup between the U.S. and Paraguay was once considered one of the most exciting games of the tournament, thousands of tickets for this 2026 World Cup opener between the two teams remain unsold. Data collected by The Athletic and other sources indicates that the match currently shows no signs of selling out if ticket prices and purchasing rates remain as they are.

As of the evening of May 28, just two weeks before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, there were still more than 3,500 tickets listed on FIFA's official ticket portal for the June 12 match between the U.S. and Paraguay. Additionally, over 6,500 tickets were listed on FIFA's resale platform. This means over 10,000 tickets are currently available for fans. Since sales opened last October, FIFA has listed tickets for the U.S.-Paraguay match at $2,735 for Category 1 seats, $1,940 for Category 2, and $1,120 for Category 3. FIFA has not yet lowered prices despite lower-than-expected sales./