Haji Wright Answers 26 Questions

Twenty-six players have been named to the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for FIFA World Cup 2026. To get to know them better, we asked every player a set of 26 rapid-fire questions to learn more about their personalities and their journeys that led them to this incredible moment on the sport’s biggest stage.

Here are 26 questions with forward Haji Wright:

What’s taking up most of your time these days?

Life and kids. I’m a family man, so I’m just spending time with my family.

What’s one lesson being a dad has taught you?

Patience. It’s hard to raise kids as it is, so when you’re faced with different situations, you learn to ride the storm.

What’s your favorite activity to do with your kid?

Play soccer. He comes to the stadium every weekend, so we play soccer all the time.

What’s one family tradition you’re hoping to start?

I’d love to start Sunday dinners with the family. I’m not big on cooking, so it’s up to my wife at this point, but hopefully once the kids get a bit older, we can sit at the table and just talk about how our weeks were and enjoy a meal.

What do you do when you need to relax?

I’m a big gamer, so my wife gives me the chance when the kids are asleep. I try to pick up the game and play Call of Duty or Madden or whatever it may be.

Who’s the best gamer on the USMNT?

I hope people would say it’s me, but I haven’t played against a lot of people, so I’m not really sure.

If you could master any other sport, what would it be?

I’d love to learn tennis. Looks like loads of fun.

Do you have any nicknames?

Growing up in the Galaxy Academy in LA, I used to get called Mantequilla quite a bit. It basically means “butter.” They called me that because I was smooth when I played soccer.

If you could raid one USMNT teammate’s closet, who would it be?

Chris Richards. I’ve seen his posts on Instagram. I like the way he dresses.

What are three things you couldn’t live without?

Number one would definitely be coffee. Love a cup of coffee, all different varieties. I drink a couple cups every day, just to get me through the day. Number two would be family. I grew up with a lot of brothers and sisters, so I was always around them growing up. And number three would be soccer.

Are you an electric or manual toothbrush kind of guy?

100% manual.

When you smile, is it soft smiles or smiling with teeth?

I try to smile with teeth when I’m being polite.

What was your favorite thing about growing up in LA?

The multicultural-ness of it. It’s one of the biggest cities in the world, so you get to meet a lot of interesting characters.

Who’s one LA icon you looked up to growing up?

Kobe Bryant. He was always my big LA guy.

What was the biggest culture shock when you moved to England?

The weather, definitely. It’s cold, almost winter, for eight months out of the year. Coming from LA to this was hard in the beginning.

What’s one piece of UK slang you picked up on since being here?

“Innit” basically means “isn’t it” or “wasn’t it.” Means whatever you want, really. It’s just something they say after every sentence.

What’s your go-to car karaoke song?

Morgan Wallen “Last Night”

If you could swap lives with anyone for a day, who would it be?

Lebron James

If you could have any superpowers, what would it be?

To control time, to rewind it, pause it, fast forward it.

Do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals?

I get dressed from the left side of my body to the right side, and then when I step out onto the field, I always take my first step over the line with my left foot.

Who’s one person who really assisted you in your journey to becoming a pro soccer player?

My mom. Growing up in LA, there’s lots of traffic, and I used to have to drive hours to practice every day. So, for her to make that sacrifice for me to be where I am today was amazing.

How would your USMNT teammates describe you in three words?

Chill, soft-spoken and a lot of fun.

What is one National Team memory that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face?

Christian (Pulisic)’s goal against Iran.

What’s one word to describe the feeling of scoring a goal in a match?

Electric. It kind of just takes over your whole body. It’s an amazing feeling. You’re overcome with joy, pride.

When this tournament is over and you look back, what do you hope people say about the way you played and carried yourself?

Hopefully, they’re proud of me. Hopefully, they say I gave it all, and they could see that when the final whistle is blown, that I was out of energy completely because of how I tried to help the team.