Sebastian Berhalter Earns World Cup Spot His Father Could Never Have Given Him
Sebastian Berhalter has been named to the United States men's national team's 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a selection that carries an unusual historical footnote: his father, Gregg Berhalter, coached the same program at the 2022 tournament in Qatar - and has acknowledged he never could have selected his son himself. With the younger Berhalter's inclusion, the two become the second father-son pair to represent the United States at a World Cup, joining Claudio and Giovanni Reyna.
Gregg Berhalter was dismissed as U.S. manager following the team's early exit at the 2024 Copa América. His successor, Mauricio Pochettino, has since overseen the squad's preparation for a tournament the United States is co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico. Alexi Lalas, speaking on his "Alexi Lalas' State of the Union" program following the roster announcement, drew a direct line between the elder Berhalter's firing and the younger's selection. "Sebastian Berhalter is not on this team if Gregg Berhalter is still the coach," Lalas said. He also quoted Gregg Berhalter's own public remarks: "Everything is in the place it's supposed to be. It's his turn. It's his time now."
Fox Sports analyst Stu Holden pushed back on the notion that the 25-year-old midfielder's selection is anything other than merit-based. Berhalter has been a consistent performer for MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps and for the national team, and Holden extended that case to a broader defense of MLS representation on the roster. Eight current MLS players made the 26-man squad; a further 13 members of the roster developed through MLS academies or the league before moving abroad. Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan was also named. "MLS bias," Holden said, characterizing skepticism toward both players. "They have performed well in big moments for the USA and are having a great year with their teams." Holden added that he would have no hesitation starting either player in a World Cup match.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 through July 19, 2026, across venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The final will be held at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The United States open their group-stage campaign against Paraguay on June 12. For Berhalter, who watched the 2022 tournament from the stands in Qatar, that match will mark his World Cup debut.
