Cristian Roldan on USMNT Veterans, Hosting 2026 FIFA World Cup: 'With Pressure Comes Responsibility'
Roldan one of 10 USMNT players on March roster competing to make his second-consecutive World Cup
All 27 U.S. Men’s National Team players called up to the training camp for the upcoming March matches – and many more not included – are in the hunt for a spot on head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s 2026 FIFA World Cup roster.
Ten of those 27 know how it feels to make the cut.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner, defenders Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, and Joe Scally, midfielders Cristian Roldan, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna, and forwards Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson, and Tim Weahwere all part of the squad that advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Eight of the 10 are the most-capped players on the March roster, combining for 471 international appearances.
One of those World Cup veterans, Roldan, spoke to the media on Tuesday. The seasoned midfielder, whose been a part of four championship teams as a member of Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer and was named to the 2025 MLS Best XI, knows how valuable the experience of the veterans can be on the global stage, especially in high-stakes situations that arise during a World Cup.
“There's going to be a lot of pressure at the World Cup,” Roldan said. “We're obviously hosting it. We're in good form. There's a lot of expectation within our locker room. Falling back on the experience is going to be vital when the pressure comes and you need a result.”
Roldan, who made his international debut in 2017, has been called into the last four USMNT camps and appeared in the final six matches of 2025, most notably assisting both goals in the 2-1 win over Australia in October. With over a decade of experience at the highest levels, Roldan is looked up to and respected by the younger players on the squad.
“When you go to one of the leaders on the team, one of the first names I think of is Cristian Roldan,” said 21-year-old USMNT defender Alex Freeman. “He’s a leader, and he's been a great in MLS. Getting to experience that now with him as a teammate is something I’m grateful for. It’s cool to see that leadership firsthand.”
Pochettino has made it clear that this March roster is not the final group that will represent the nation in June. The head coach has stressed that every spot is still up for grabs, which has elevated competition before the 26-player World Cup roster is announced in May.
Roldan explained that this camp and the pair of upcoming matches against Belgium and Portugal are prime opportunities to make his case for a spot.
“It's obviously everybody's dream to go to a World Cup, so it creates a competitive field,” Roldan said. "I expect competition in every camp, but this one especially, leading up to the World Cup and with the things that Coach [Pochettino] said. No one's spot is guaranteed, so proving yourself each and every day is extremely important.
"These friendlies are not friendly,” he added. “We're playing against big-time European countries that have a long history in the sport. That's our chance to show what we're capable of, who we can compete against.”
On top of Roldan’s pursuit to make back-to-back World Cup rosters, there’s the added factor of getting to compete on home soil. The U.S. will begin group stage play in Los Angeles before heading to Seattle, two cities close to Roldan's heart and that he's called home. Not only does the 30-year-old want to fulfill his own dreams – he wants to play a part in creating them for the fans watching.
"With pressure comes responsibility,” Roldan said. “The responsibility that we possess at the moment is to create our history for the next generation, for the kiddos that are watching and are inspired to be the next Christian Pulisic, Weston McKinnie. There's a huge responsibility on our part to show up and create those long-lasting memories for the next generation.”