Robinson's World Cup Return
Miles Robinson secures his first World Cup appearance in 2026 after recovering from injury.
Miles Robinson will finally get his World Cup moment. The 29-year-old US men's national team defender, who watched the 2022 tournament in Qatar from a hospital bed after rupturing his Achilles tendon, has been named to Mauricio Pochettino's 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil. "It's one of those things that teaches you a lot about yourself," Robinson told CNN. "I'm really honored to be in this position right now."
The US opens Group D play against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12. The team enters the tournament with real pressure — failing to advance from the group stage on home soil would be a disaster for Pochettino's young program, according to FOX Sports.
A Ruptured Achilles Tendon Erased Qatar 2022
Robinson was arguably the first-choice center-back for the US heading into Qatar 2022. Then, on May 7, 2022, he tore his Achilles tendon in a non-contact injury during Atlanta United's 4-1 win over the Chicago Fire, according to MLS. He missed 272 days of action. His absence forced the US to use a rotating defensive lineup in Qatar, and the team eventually fell to the Netherlands in the Round of 16.
The road back was slow. Robinson signed with FC Cincinnati in January 2024 after seven seasons with Atlanta United. He then served as an overage player at the Paris Olympics, starting all four matches. Pochettino personally messaged him to confirm his spot on the World Cup roster, CNN reported.
Robinson's MLS Career Draws Both Praise and Skepticism
Robinson has earned 40 caps and scored 3 goals for the senior national team since his debut in 2019. He scored a famous 117th-minute header to win the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Mexico. He has spent his entire club career in MLS — a fact that divides fans and analysts.
Critics argue his lack of European club experience makes him a liability against elite forwards. That fear grew after a June 6 warm-up match. Robinson lost track of Kai Havertz on Germany's opening goal in a 2-1 US loss at Soldier Field, according to American Soccer Now. Analysts are now debating whether veteran Tim Ream, 38, should start alongside Chris Richards instead.
Pochettino's Roster Leaked Before the Big Reveal
US Soccer planned a grand roster announcement at Pier 17 in Manhattan. The moment fell flat. The Guardian had already leaked the full 26-man squad three days earlier. The event was widely called "anti-climactic" online. Fans also pushed back hard on Pochettino for leaving off young stars Diego Luna and Tanner Tessmann in favor of veterans like Robinson and Cristian Roldan, according to CBS Sports.
Pochettino defended every pick. He said all 26 spots were chosen based on "performance, intuition, and data" after a two-year scouting process, per US Soccer. He called it the "Right 26." A supercomputer model gives the US a 42.22% chance of advancing past the group stage after the Germany loss, according to American Soccer Now.
Home Soil Stakes Are Enormous for the US Program
The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams. It is co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. The economic impact for the US alone is projected at $17.2 billion and 184,000 jobs, according to research cited by KNSI. Atlanta, Robinson's former home city, expects a $1 billion boost just from its matches.
Off the field, immigration concerns loom. The Iranian national team moved its base camp to Tijuana, Mexico, due to visa problems under the current US administration, Al Jazeera reported. For Robinson, though, the focus is simpler. He missed his first chance. He does not plan to waste the second one.
Sentiment
NeutralPublishers
5
Articles
4
Reach
5
