FIFA World Cup 2026: Tim Ream named USA captain

Tim Ream will captain the US men’s national team at the upcoming World Cup.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino presented the armband to the 38-year-old Charlotte FC defender on Saturday.

«I am so grateful that he is with us. He is a great captain, not only on the pitch but more importantly off the pitch. He has the experience and ability to be the leader we want,» Pochettino said.

Ream has earned ⁠80 caps with the USMNT since 2010 and started all four matches for the 2022 World Cup squad led by Tyler Adams in Qatar.

“This is more than a dream come true,” said Ream, who is about to become the oldest American to play in a World Cup. “It is the highest honor for me.”

The American team is currently ranked 16th in the world and is in Group D for the World Cup in North America. The match begins June 12 against Paraguay in Inglewood, California, before games against Australia (June 19 in Seattle) and Turkey (June 25 in Inglewood, California).

The Americans’ last friendly matches are against Senegal (Sunday in Charlotte) and Germany (June 6 in Chicago).

Professionally, Ream is in his third season with Charlotte and fourth in the MLS. He has two goals and three assists in 105 regular-season games (102 starts) with the New York Red Bulls (2011) and Charlotte (2024-26). He also played in England for Bolton Wanderers (2012-15) and Fulham (2015-24).

Published on May 30, 2026