The U.S. men’s national team had an awfully disappointing showing at this summer’s Copa America, becoming the first host to lose in the tournament’s group stage. And though the USMNT will be at the Olympics, fans will notice a dramatically different roster heading to Paris.
The men’s Olympic soccer tournament is a junior competition played between under-23 teams, and each nation is allowed to call up three overage players. But given the Olympics’ non-FIFA status and the upcoming regular club season in Europe, those overage spots rarely go to star players. This differs from the women’s tournament, which is a senior national team competition.
Still, the Olympic Games are a huge opportunity for the USMNT to give younger players competitive experience on the world stage. There’s definite value in that with the 2026 World Cup approaching.
There will be plenty of fresh faces going to Paris for the USMNT. Let’s meet the squad that Under-23 head coach Marko Mitrović selected for the Summer Games.
