When <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/usmnt/">USMNT</a> head coach Mauricio Pochettino finalized his highly anticipated 26-man roster for the 2026 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup/">World Cup</a>, fans and pundits alike were stunned by the exclusion of Diego Luna, marking what is easily the biggest omission in the entire squad.



The Real Salt Lake star arrived at the selection window fresh off a spectacular domestic campaign with his club, where he featured in 32 matches across all competitions, netting 10 goals and providing three assists. 



Despite being a regular fixture in recent USMNT call-ups—including the Gold Cup and the final stretch of international friendlies—the Argentine manager ultimately made the tactical decision to leave the young playmaker out, opting to give his spot to Borussia Monchengladbach’s Giovanni Reyna.



The omission of the 22-year-old attacking midfielder is particularly shocking given how heavily Pochettino relied on him throughout 2025, utilizing him as a core piece across friendlies, the Gold Cup, and the CONCACAF Nations League.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/06/11200720/luna-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-652296"><figcaption>Diego Luna #10 of United States celebrates after scoring a goal. (Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Luna’s numbers with the USMNT</h2>



Pochettino first integrated <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/diego-luna/">Luna</a> into his tactical setup in March 2025, calling him up for the CONCACAF Nations League finals. Luna watched from the bench during a tough semifinal loss to Panama but earned a starting nod in the third-place match against Canada, where he provided a clinical assist.


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From that moment on, he became an indispensable asset for the manager. Luna started in high-profile friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland just before the Gold Cup kicked off. 



During the tournament itself, Luna started five of the USMNT’s six matches, delivering an elite breakout performance with three goals and two assists to lead the United States to the grand final, which they narrowly lost to longtime rivals Mexico.



Following his tournament success, the Real Salt Lake attacker remained a staple in Pochettino’s squads for the remaining six friendlies of 2025, adding one more international goal to his resume.



<h2>Pochettino about Luna’s exclusion</h2>



There is no question that Luna’s absence is the most debated talking point of the roster release, arguably alongside Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann. Addressing the heavy media scrutiny, Pochettino opened up about his difficult choice to sideline the Real Salt Lake star during an interview with the Los Angeles Times.



“The final decision wasn’t based solely on individual talent, but rather on balance, specific roles, and collective chemistry,” Pochettino explained. “You don’t always pick the biggest names; you pick the right team. I also suffered the heartbreak of being left out of a World Cup”.



Pochettino’s justification draws from raw personal experience, as the former Argentine defender was famously cut from his country’s final squad for the 1998 World Cup in France during his playing days. While Luna’s vision and elite footwork will be missed on home soil this summer, the young playmaker will undoubtedly use this high-profile snub as fuel to lead the line for the 2030 cycle.

Why Diego Luna is missing the 2026 World Cup for the USMNT

Why Diego Luna is missing the 2026 World Cup for the USMNT - World Soccer Talk

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The January transfer window is quickly approaching its closing date, prompting European clubs to accelerate negotiations to sign new players. In that context, La Liga could become the destination for two Major League Soccer players who are aiming to represent the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/usmnt">USMNT</a> at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.



“<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/villarreal/">Villarreal</a> has agreed to a deal to sign USMNT right back Alex Freeman from Orlando City, per sources,” reporter Tom Bogert said Tuesday on his X account. “Deal worth north of $4m plus around $3m in add-ons + sell-on clause.”



Freeman played 38 matches for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/orlando-city/">Orlando City</a> during the 2025 season across MLS, the Leagues Cup, and the US Open Cup, recording six goals and six assists. At the end of the year, the American defender became a free agent but agreed to sign a new contract, a move that has now proven crucial in allowing the Florida club to receive a significant transfer fee.



Those performances not only earned the fullback a move to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/la-liga/">La Liga</a> with Villarreal this year, but also established him as an important piece of the USMNT. He made his debut in June 2025 during a friendly against Turkey, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino included him on the Concacaf Gold Cup roster, where he started all six matches.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/01/27173737/freeman-luna-1920x1080.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-618020"></figure></div><figcaption>USMNT players Alex Freeman and Diego Luna.</figcaption></figure>



Having played in 13 of the USMNT’s 14 matches since June of last year, including friendlies and the Gold Cup, Alex Freeman appears well on track to be part of the squad for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/world-cup/">2026 FIFA World Cup</a>.


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<h2>Another player who could leave MLS for La Liga</h2>



Just as Alex Freeman is reportedly close to completing a move from Orlando City to Villarreal, another USMNT player could leave MLS in the near future. “<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/espanyol/">Espanyol</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/celta-vigo/">Celta Vigo</a> continue to have strong interest is USMNT and Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna,” Tom Bogert wrote on X.



With 10 goals and three assists in 32 matches across all competitions in 2025, Luna stood out as one of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/mls/">MLS</a>’s top midfielders and an important piece of the USMNT. That form has drawn interest from several Spanish clubs, though it has also made his departure from the United States difficult in the short term.



“A move happening is very unlikely before end of January window as RSL don’t want to lose Luna now,” Bogert added regarding the midfielder’s immediate future. However, the outlook could change in the near term: “RSL open to (and expecting) offers in summer for Luna.”



Diego Luna has also been a regular presence in Pochettino’s USMNT squads over the past year. In fact, the Real Salt Lake midfielder was included in every call-up in 2025 and appeared in 17 of the national team’s 18 matches.



<h2>Is a major career move advisable before the World Cup?</h2>



Both Alex Freeman and Diego Luna are facing one of the most important decisions of their professional careers. With less than five months remaining until the World Cup begins, both appear close to securing a place on the USMNT’s 26-man roster.



However, a club change at this stage—especially to an extremely competitive league like La Liga—could present challenges. Adapting to a new country and language may require an adjustment period with limited playing time at club level, which could affect their chances with the national team. Both players will need to weigh these factors carefully to avoid unexpected complications ahead of the World Cup.

Two USMNT players could leave MLS to join La Liga before the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Two USMNT players could leave MLS to join La Liga before the 2026 FIFA World Cup - World Soccer Talk

Real Salt Lake youngster Diego Luna has reportedly not been picked to play in the USMNT Olympic squad at the upcoming <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/olympics-soccer-schedule-and-tv-guide/">Summer Olympics</a>. 



The 20-year-old budding star was previously not chosen by Marko Mitrovic in Team USA’s June camp. The initial decision, however, did not necessarily mean that Luna would not eventually be named in the Olympic team.



In fact, Mitrovic hinted back in May that Luna could still be picked to go to France. “Listen, Diego is one of the players that we are considering,” USA’s U23 coach <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/walker-zimmerman-in-diego-luna-out-usa-2024-olympics-roster-takes-shape" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told</a> reporters after announcing the June roster. “He was in consideration for November camp, unfortunately he was injured. In March camp he was with us. Now there are some other guys there that we want to evaluate.”



“The doors are open for every player and for Diego not being in June camp, like for any other player that is not in June camp, doesn’t mean that they are not going to be in for the Olympic Games.”



<h2>Luna reportedly declined offer to be a Team USA alternate</h2>



Nevertheless, reporter Tom Bogert now <a href="https://x.com/tombogert/status/1809597600699457915" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claims</a> that Luna is once again being overlooked. While the youngster was not selected for Team USA, he was apparently asked by U.S. Soccer to be an alternative in the squad. This would potentially give Luna a chance to feature in the squad if another player suffers an injury. According to Bogert, Luna, however, declined the offer.



The decision by U.S. Soccer and Mitrovic is certainly an odd one. After all, the youngster has netted four goals and added five assists for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-salt-lake-tv-schedule/">Real</a> during just 19 <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> matches this season. 



Only star duo Cristian Arango and Andres Gomez have more combined direct goal involvements for the club than Luna. The Utah side is currently second in the Western Conference standings at the moment.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/16040101/imago1045738488h-1200x800-1200x800.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-515042" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div><figcaption>Luna reportedly refused to be an alternate in the USMNT Olympic squad</figcaption></figure>



Nicknamed ‘Moon Boy,’ Luna was previously a star player at the 2022 CONCACAF U20 tournament. In seven total games at the competition, the creative midfielder scored a goal and added five assists. He was a key piece of the puzzle in America’s triumph at the tournament. 



A year later, Luna then featured at the U20 World Cup. Although the Americans were knocked out in the quarterfinals by Uruguay, the Real star led his team with three assists. The stellar display was certainly noticed by <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> officials. Luna earned his first senior USA cap back in January during a matchup with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/slovenia-national-team-tv-schedule/">Slovenia</a>. 



<h2>Team USA begins their tournament run on July 24th</h2>



The aforementioned triumph at the 2022 CONCACAF U20 tournament gave the Americans a spot in the upcoming Olympics. While Luna was a star player for his team at the competition, he will have to watch his teammates compete in France from afar.



Without Luna, the Team USA was beaten 2-0 by Japan in a friendly during the June camp. The young side will next face Paraguay and Spain in France in the coming weeks as a late preparation for the Olympic games. Team USA will kick off their tournament in Group A against hosts France on July 24th. They are then scheduled to face New Zealand and Guinea in the following days. Assuming the advance to the knockout stage, the quarterfinals begin on August 2nd.



Photo credits: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire : IMAGO / Icon Sportswire

Young USA star not selected for USMNT Olympic squad

Real Salt Lake youngster Diego Luna has reportedly not been selected as part of the USMNT Olympic squad in Paris

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