It’s that time of year again. As 2026 comes to a close, the U-17 World Cup is here to show us a glimpse of the future. Top young talents from around the globe will compete in Qatar for the honor of winning a trophy for their country. This is the second edition of the tournament since it was expanded to 48 teams and made an annual event.
U.S. Under-17 manager Alex Aldaz has named his squad of 21 players that will represent the United States. Although the three biggest names from this 2009 class have moved onto bigger and better things, this roster has promising players in all areas of the pitch. Eight of the 21 are currently playing in Europe, including one player from each of the three footballing giants in the Netherlands. Three of these players are 2010-born playing up an age group. Let’s take a look at the team.
USA U-17 World Cup Roster
Goalkeepers: James Donaldson (Atlanta United FC), Philipp Eckle (FC Augsburg), Toby Szewczyk (Red Bull New York)
Defenders: Miles Aalbersberg (Ajax), Eddie Chadwick (Queens Park Rangers), Gianmarco Di Noto (Columbus Crew), Prince Forfor (Columbus Crew), Astin Mbaye (AC Milan), Joshua Wilbrenninck-van Cuilenborg (Feyenoord)
Midfielders: Deven Cadigan (Red Bull New York), Vinny Garcia (LA Galaxy), Peter Molinari (New York City FC), Judah Siqueira (New England Revolution), Kaedren Spivey (San Jose Earthquakes), Ignacio Suarez-Couri (Atlanta United FC)
Forwards: Kashan Hines (Sporting Kansas City), Malik Jakupovic (Philadelphia Union), Will Ostrander (PSV), Robert Turdean (Chicago Fire FC), Makai Wells (New England Revolution), Edward Wumah (Girona)
Goalkeepers
The most straightforward position when it came to selecting the roster was undoubtedly in between the sticks. These three goalkeepers have been highly rated by U.S. Soccer for quite some time. Toby Szewczyk of Red Bull New York will likely be the starter. The Polish-American has represented the U.S. since the U-15 level and has taken strides in his development this season. Red Bull New York loaned out last year’s U.S. U-17 World Cup goalkeeper Aidan Stokes so Szewczyk could start playing professionally. He has become the full-time starter for Red Bull New York II in MLS NEXT Pro (MLSNP) and helped them reach the playoffs. Szewczyk even registered his first professional assist with a perfectly weighted ball over the top.
Both other goalkeepers in the squad are more than capable. James Donaldson also has professional experience under his belt, making seven appearances for Atlanta United 2. He was the starter for the U-17s at the Concacaf Championship, which serves as qualifying for the World Cup. Philipp Eckle is an intriguing dual national who has also represented Germany at the youth level. The U.S. is in safe hands regardless of who gets the nod.
Defenders
In contrast to the goalkeepers, the defender group has the most question marks in this squad. Aldaz elected to only bring six of them to the World Cup, leaving the U.S. at risk of being undermanned in the back line. There’s only one backup center-back and no backup left-back. Several deserving players such as center-backs Tyson Espy and Ethan Degny were surprising omissions.
However, there are some intriguing prospects that did make the roster. Starting with the center-back group, two of the three immediately jump off the page. Miles Aalbersberg and Astin Mbaye currently ply their trade for two of the biggest clubs in the world, playing Ajax and AC Milan respectively. Aalbersberg is one of the three 2010-born players to make this squad. He is a Dutch-American dual national and bringing him to this tournament that the Netherlands didn’t qualify for is a great way to solidify his status as a U.S. player. Mbaye made the move to Italy after a stint with Red Bull New York. He is progressing well overseas, playing for Milan’s U-18 squad. Gianmarco Di Noto is the third center-back, a regular starter with Columbus Crew 2 in MLSNP.
The fullback group also offers an interesting Dutch-American dual national. Joshua Wilbrenninck-van Cuilenborg (JWvC) will likely start at right-back for Aldaz. Similarly to Aalbersberg, JWvC has represented both the U.S. and the Netherlands at the youth level and will get provisionally cap-tied to the United States in this tournament. He has been playing well for Feyenoord’s U-19s and recently made his UEFA Youth League debut. On the left side, Prince Forfor is an eye-catching prospect. The Columbus Crew academy prospect has contributed to five goals in MLSNP this year. Eddie Chadwick will be the backup fullback. He has also represented England’s youth national teams and officially moved from Nashville SC to Queens Park Rangers in August.
Midfielders
Although Adri Mehmeti has graduated beyond this level, there is still a Red Bull New York defensive midfielder in the U.S. U-17 roster. Deven Cadigan is next up out of that pipeline and has the makings of a good pro. He is an everyday starter in MLSNP, providing solidity at the base of midfield. The other defensive midfielder in this roster comes from the other side of town. New York City FC homegrown Peter Molinari could start next to Cadigan in a double pivot, but based on the roster complexion it’s more likely they’ll be competing for one spot in the lineup.
The other four midfielders are more advanced positionally. They can all play as box-to-box eights or higher up the pitch as attacking midfielders. Vinny Garcia is the biggest name of the bunch. One of the three 2010-born players in the squad, Garcia has become one of the most sought after Mexican-American dual nationals since Ricardo Pepi. He is coming off a great season in MLSNP and already agreed to join Premier League giants Chelsea when he turns 18. Having Garcia play up an age group has been a good way to ensure he stays with the U.S. and now he’ll represent the Stars and Stripes at a World Cup.
Kaedren Spivey is another X factor in the midfield. His development has not progressed as quickly as many would have thought a couple years ago, but the talent is still very much there. Spivey cemented himself as a starter in MLSNP this season, contributing four goals and three assists. He is best as a box-to-box midfielder but has also played as an attacking midfielder, winger, and even second striker. Spivey has arguably been the most important player in the middle of the park for this age group since they started playing for the national team at U-15 level. His success will play a key role in determining how far this team goes.
Rounding out the midfield are Judah Siqueira and Ignacio Suarez-Couri. Both are relatively new additions to the group. Siqueira has only been in one youth national team camp but made enough of an impression to make the World Cup roster. He has taken admirable strides this year, standing out in MLSNP and making five MLS appearances for New England Revolution. Suarez-Couri also made his MLS debut this year for Atlanta United. He had two goals and four assists for their second team in his first full season at the level.
Forwards
The other positions have exciting talents, but the best prospect on this roster plays striker. Malik Jakupovic has quickly become a hot topic of conversation in the U.S. Soccer space as a Bosnian-American dual national. His final decision will no doubt make headlines, but for now he leads the line for the U.S. U-17 team. Jakupovic burst onto the professional scene last year, scoring eight goals in just 448 minutes for Philadelphia Union II. That’s a goal every 56 minutes. For reference, Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane averaged a goal every 66 minutes in the Bundesliga last season. Jakupovic has now progressed to the Union first team and is their first choice striker off the bench. This U-17 squad will live and die by his goals at the World Cup. Kashan Hines is the backup, a Sporting Kansas City academy product who has scored seven times in MLSNP this year.
Providing service for Jakupovic will be the four wingers in this squad. Cavan Sullivan and Mathis Albert have long since graduated beyond this level but there is still quality out wide at Aldaz’s disposal. The final 2010-born player on the roster, Robert Turdean is coming off a breakout season. He scored four goals and provided four assists for Chicago Fire II. Turdean also made his first team debut, starting for former USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter against Santos Laguna in Leagues Cup. The other domestic-based winger is Makai Wells, who scored in the MLSNP playoffs for New England Revolution II.
Finally, two European-based wingers make the squad. Edward Wumah is one that should catch the eye of fans at the World Cup. Born in the United States to Liberian parents, most of Wumah’s upbringing was in Norway. He represented the Scandinavian side at the U-15 and U-16 levels but has been with the U.S. since. Wumah plays for Girona in Spain, part of the City Football Group. Will Ostrander is the other winger currently playing abroad. He left the San Jose Earthquakes academy to join Dutch giants PSV last summer. Ostrander has taken well to life in the Netherlands and is a regular for PSV’s U-19s.
Mexico vs. USA: Dual National Battle
There have been increasingly more Mexican-American dual nationals that are caught in the middle of a battle for their services. Mexico’s Director of Youth National Teams, Andrés Lillini, has ramped up his efforts for the U-17 World Cup. Although Vinny Garcia will represent the U.S. in Qatar, several other big name Mexican-Americas are with Mexico. Three of those were born in 2010 just like Garcia. Striker Da’vian Kimbrough is the standout. He has spent significant time with both nations but has chosen Mexico for the World Cup. Matthew Arana is another important get for Mexico. He is one of just two 2010-born players to play MLS minutes. Juan ‘Mono’ MartÃnez is the last of the three. He left LA Galaxy’s academy in July and now plays for Querétaro’s first team in Liga MX. For more on the Mexico U-17 World Cup roster, click here.
USA U-17 Group Stage Schedule
USA vs. Montenegro
- Aspire Zone Sports Complex, Al Rayyan, Qatar
- November 21, 2026
- 9:30 AM ET / 6:30 AM PT
- Watch on FS2
USA vs. Chile
- Aspire Zone Sports Complex, Al Rayyan, Qatar
- November 24, 2026
- 9:30 AM ET / 6:30 AM PT
- Watch on FS2
Algeria vs. USA
- Aspire Zone Sports Complex, Al Rayyan, Qatar
- November 27, 2026
- 10:00 AM ET / 7:00 AM PT
- Watch on FS2
Braden Hines is a writer and data analyst with a passion for U.S. Soccer. Runs American Ultras Talk on YouTube and X. Works for Carolina Ascent FC and Syracuse Men’s Soccer.
