The dust has settled on the USA’s deflating 3-1 loss to Holland in the Round of 16, but there are plenty of positives to take from this tournament.
The defense (mostly) held up, Tyler Adams showed why he’s captain and plenty others impressed as well.
However, with the next World Cup roughly four years away, there are no guarantees of who will continue to be involved.
Below, Sportsmail delivers the verdict on every USA player’s performance in Qatar and rates their chances of involvement in 2026.
There were plenty of positives to take from the USA’s trip to Qatar in the World Cup
MATT TURNER
Though he wasn’t asked to make too many saves in the group stages, Turner came up big when it mattered, stifling Ben Davies and Mason Mount vs. Wales and England respectively.
He’ll want the penalty he let in vs. Gareth Bale back, as he got a hand on the ball, but he was helpless for all three goals vs. Holland.
Matt Turner was impressive in goal at his first World Cup, and he’ll hope it’s not his last
Turner was solid and didn’t at all seem out of place on the world stage, and looks to have cemented a No. 1 spot in goal which was previously in question.
Tournament rating: 7.5
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
SERGINO DEST
Entering the tournament short of game time on loan at AC Milan, Dest held up about as well as you could’ve reasonably hoped for.
He was a constant source of offense for the USA on the right flank, completing the most dribbles on the team in Qatar (five, per FBref.com), taking the second-most shots (six) and contributing a huge assist for Christian Pulisic’s decisive goal vs. Iran.
Sergino Dest was productive on the ball for the USA, offering width on the right hand side
Concerns regarding the right-back’s defensive ability were mostly quietened, though he was caught sleeping for Daley Blind’s goal for Holland on the stroke of halftime.
Tournament rating: 7.5
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
WALKER ZIMMERMAN
Part of a defensive unit that didn’t allow a goal from open play in the group stage, there was more good than bad for Zimmerman, though there were mistakes as well.
His poorly-timed tackle on Bale handed Wales a penalty and a point in the tournament opener, and his distribution was at times sloppy vs. England.
He lost his starting place vs. Iran but returned to the XI vs. Holland.
The Nashville SC defender was fine in Qatar, but the USA may be looking to upgrade here, especially given the fact he’ll be 33 in 2026.
Tournament rating: 6
Will he be back in 2026?: JURY’S OUT
TIM REAM
Somewhat of a pleasant surprise to even make the squad, Ream started every match and was solid at the back, bringing the steadiness and experience that you’d expect a Premier League defender to.
Him and Adams were the only outfield players to not sit a single minute in Qatar, and Berhalter was rewarded for his trust in the Fulham man.
Tim Ream (L) and Walker Zimmerman (R) played in the center of the USA’s defense in Qatar
He offered a bit more on the ball than Zimmerman, as he completed 67.6 percent of long passes while the latter only completed 58.6.
Ream’s World Cup career will be one and done as he’s 35.
Tournament rating: 7
Will he be back in 2026?: NO
ANTONEE ROBNSON
Like Dest on the opposite side, Robinson got involved in the attack, though his end product was at times lacking.
He also lost Denzel Dumfries at the back post for Holland’s last goal in the Round of 16.
Fulham full back Antonee Robinson was solid defensively on the left for the USA team
Robinson covered tons of ground on the left and helped quiet Bukayo Saka vs. England, but the next step is offering a bit more going forward.
Tournament rating: 7
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
TYLER ADAMS
With the weight of the captain’s armband on his 23-year-old shoulders, Adams delivered for the USA with tireless midfield performances in Qatar.
The Leeds midfielder was equal parts tenacity and composure, as he helped the US navigate a tricky group and a nail-biting finish vs. Iran.
No one won more tackles (nine) than him in Qatar, and only Robinson made more ball recoveries.
Adams was the team’s most consistent performer, giving his more attack-minded teammates the license to go forward and massively burgeoning his reputation.
Tournament rating: 8.5
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
WESTON MCKENNIE
McKennie didn’t play 90 minutes once in the tournament as he was coming back from a thigh injury, but he made his time on the field count.
The Texas native flashed his athleticism in the midfield, especially during the England game, where caused them problems on the right of a 4-4-2. He also missed a good chance to score in that game, however.
Tyler Adams (left) and Weston McKennie (right) project to be important pieces for the USA
Ultimately, we may not have seen McKennie at his best during this tournament due to his lack of fitness, but the midfielder will remain an important cog in the team moving forward.
Tournament rating: 7
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
YUNUS MUSAH
It can be easy to miss Musah’s performances at times because he’s more of an all-rounder than a specialist.
But the 20-year-old was promising in Qatar, providing good tackling in the midfield alongside Adams and looking comfortable in possession.
Promising 20-year-old Yunus Musah was assured in the midfield in his first World Cup
Only Dest completed more dribbles on the team than the press-breaking Valencia midfielder, who should only improve as he gets older.
Tournament rating: 7
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
CHRISTIAN PULISIC
While the winger didn’t quite dominate games in Qatar, he was involved in virtually every big moment for the USA. And tournament football oftentimes comes down to moments.
He ran through the Wales defense and slipped in Tim Weah for the team’s first goal of the tournament, scored a knockout round-clinching goal vs. Iran, and assisted Haji Wright’s goal vs. Holland.
Christian Pulisic either scored or assisted every goal the USA scored at the tournament
He was also unlucky not to score vs. England as he struck the crossbar with his left foot, and probably should’ve scored after three minutes vs. Holland.
Pulisic was a constant threat in Qatar and usually looked the most likely USA attacker to produce something.
Tournament rating: 8
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
JOSH SARGENT
The Norwich striker was given the first shot as Gregg Berhalter’s No. 9, though he failed to offer much beyond some decent pressing and hold up play.
Sargent also hit the post with a header vs. Wales, though he lost his starting spot vs. England and was hurt for the match against Holland.
Josh Sargent was unable to offer much up top for the USMNT in Qatar in two starts
After clawing his way back into contention for Berhalter’s squad before the tournament, he has a chance to be involved moving forward but maybe not as the starter.
Tournament rating: 6
Will he be back in 2026?: JURY’S OUT
TIM WEAH
Easily the USA’s most consistent attacker outside of Pulisic, Weah was unlucky not to come away from Qatar with better numbers.
After scoring the opener vs. Wales, he could have had an assist vs. England if for a better finish from McKennie, and a goal vs. Iran was *just* ruled offside.
Tim Weah was unlucky to leave Qatar with just one goal involvement after his dangerous play
Weah’s movement on and off the ball caused problems for the opposition but he at times lacked the cutting edge.
Tournament rating: 7
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
HAJI WRIGHT
Wright looked cumbersome up front when brought in by Berhalter, and was fortunate to score essentially by accident vs. Holland after taking a heavy touch and spurning a chance minutes before.
He’s been good at the club level in Turkey, but looked out of his depth in Qatar.
Striker Haji Wright scored a fortunate goal but otherwise didn’t impress in Qatar
Tournament rating: 5.5
Will he be back in 2026?: JURY’S OUT
BRENDEN AARONSON
Backed by some for a place in the starting XI, Aaronson came off the bench in every game and didn’t look his best.
He offered the same intensity as usual but was unable to create much going forward.
Brenden Aaronson wasn’t handed a start at the World Cup and never made his impact felt
Tournament rating: 6
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS
Started just one game in the tournament, vs. Iran, but did his job as the team held on to a 1-0 win.
He could push for a starting spot in 2026 – it also wouldn’t be a shock if he were left out.
Cameron Carter-Vickers started vs. Iran and helped his squad grind out a clean sheet
Tournament rating: 6.5
Will he be back in 2026?: JURY’s OUT
REST OF THE SQUAD
Shaq Moore
Tournament rating: 5.5
Will he be back in 2026?: Jury’s OUT
Gio Reyna
Tournament rating: 6
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
Jesus Ferreira
Tournament rating: 5.5
Will he be back in 2026?: JURY’S OUT
Gregg Berhalter faced criticism for not starting Borussia Dortmund star Gio Reyna (left)
Kellyn Acosta
Tournament rating: 6
Will he be back in 2026?: NO
DeAndre Yedlin
Tournament rating: 6
Will he be back in 2026?: NO
Jordan Morris
Tournament rating: N/A
Will he be back in 2026?: NO
Ethan Horvath
Tournament rating: N/A
Will he be back in 2026?: JURY’S OUT
Sean Johnson
Tournament rating: N/A
Will he be back in 2026?: NO
Jordan Morris was limited to just four minutes plus stoppage time at the tournament
Luca de La Torre
Tournament rating: N/A
Will he be back in 2026?: JURY’S OUT
Aaron Long
Tournament rating: N/A
Will he be back in 2026?: NO
Cristian Roldan
Tournament rating: N/A
Will he be back in 2026?: NO
Joe Scally
Tournament rating: N/A
Will he be back in 2026: YES
