The U.S. men’s national team is facing one of its most intriguing selection dilemmas as the 2026 World Cup approaches: who will lead the attack? This is a familiar story for American soccer fans, echoing debates from four years ago. Back in 2022, questions swirled around which striker would step up, seize the opportunity, and find the back of the net. Now, under Mauricio Pochettino, those same questions are resurfacing, as multiple forwards compete for limited spots on the roster.
Revisiting 2022: Lessons from the Last World Cup
In Qatar, former coach Gregg Berhalter brought Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, and Jesus Ferreira to handle the U.S. attack. Despite all three getting chances, only Wright managed to score—and it was a memorable yet accidental goal in the 76th minute of the Round of 16 defeat to the Netherlands. While it wasn’t the game-changing moment the U.S. hoped for, it highlighted the ongoing uncertainty in the striker position.
Fast forward to 2026, and the U.S. faces a similar scenario: identifying which forwards can deliver goals on the world’s biggest stage. Pochettino is expected to bring three strikers, likely anchored by Folarin Balogun as the primary option, with Ricardo Pepi recovering from injury and poised for selection. But the competition beyond them is heating up.
Championship Stars Rising: Agyemang and Wright Making Their Case
Patrick Agyemang has been quietly turning heads in the English Championship. After leaving Charlotte FC for Derby County last summer, the 6-foot-4 striker has consistently improved, scoring ten goals this season, including four in the last six matches. His recent header in a 2-0 victory over Swansea City shows he can perform in high-pressure situations. Though Agyemang hasn’t featured for the U.S. since October, his performances put him in a strong position to secure a World Cup call-up.
IT’S A HAJI HAT TRICK FOR COVENTRY TO PUT THEM AT THE TOP OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP! ⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/tIX6kpteR6
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) February 16, 2026
Haji Wright, meanwhile, has regained his scoring touch with Coventry City. After a long drought, Wright netted a hat trick in a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough, helping lift Coventry to the top of the Championship table and boosting his own confidence ahead of the March evaluation period. With 13 goals this season, Wright is proving that he can deliver when it counts.
Josh Sargent’s Urgent Mission to Reclaim Form
For Josh Sargent, the path to the World Cup looks much steeper. He hasn’t scored for the national team in six years and missed last fall’s camps entirely. At club level, his desire to move to MLS has stalled, leaving him with limited playing time in Norwich City’s under-21 squad. For Sargent to secure a spot this summer, he must quickly return to form and start scoring regularly at the senior club level.
With Pochettino treating the March window as the real beginning of World Cup preparations, the clock is ticking for all contenders. The striker pool will be under the closest scrutiny, and every goal could make the difference between making the squad or watching from home. The U.S. attack may soon find its leader—but only time will tell who steps up.
