The pain of the call: USMNT players on missing a World Cup

For every player who gets the call to represent their country at the World Cup, another is left to process the disappointment of being excluded. Mauricio Pochettino, drawing on his own career experiences, has prioritized direct and personal communication with his players. He aims to make these decisions early to avoid prolonging the uncertainty for those who will ultimately not make the final 26-man squad.

Other coaches, such as former USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann, opted for different approaches, including pre-tournament training camps where competition lasted until the final days. Klinsmann reflects that delivering the news in person was one of the toughest parts of his career, yet he believed it was a necessary professional and personal courtesy to speak face-to-face, regardless of how painful the conversation might be.

The reactions to such news are deeply personal. Players like Zack Steffen have noted that the sting of rejection can linger for years. However, others, such as Mark McKenzie, have managed to channel that frustration into fuel for their development, using the setback as a turning point to refocus on their careers and eventually earn their way back to the national team setup.

Injury remains a cruel variable that can end a World Cup dream regardless of a coach’s plans. Players like Miles Robinson and Chris Richards have faced the isolation of missing a tournament due to fitness issues, having to support their teammates from afar. For them, the experience was a test of character, requiring them to balance their personal disappointment with the desire to see their teammates succeed.