Get free access to all our World Cup coverage in the app, from kickoff to the trophy lift.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — Veteran center back Tim Ream has been named the U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup captain.
Ream, who has captained the team in 17 of the 24 matches under Mauricio Pochettino, was viewed as the clear favorite heading into camp.
“Tim was my first captain (as USMNT head coach),” Pochettino told media on Saturday. “I’m so grateful he’s with us, he’s a great captain not only on the field — and maybe more importantly — off the field. He has the experience and capacity to be the positive leader we want.”
The 38-year-old Ream is in line to become the oldest player to represent the United States at a men’s World Cup. He would surpass the late Fernando Clavijo (1994) by featuring vs. Paraguay, when he’ll be 38 years, 8 months, 7 days.
“Wow, I’m not sure what to say,” Ream said. “This is more than a dream come true. I’ve done everything possible to be part of this group, to help this group. I’m really grateful to be sitting here to have this honor. … I will not take it for granted.”
There’s a nice timing tie-in for Ream, as the USMNT plays its next pre-World Cup friendly on Sunday against Senegal at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, which is Ream’s home arena.
“Playing or not playing, Tim is the captain,” Pochettino said, before turning to Ream and saying with a laugh that doesn’t mean he will always play.
Ream will wear the armband but is among a number of leaders in the team, including midfielder Tyler Adams. Adams was the team’s captain at the 2022 World Cup, where he was the youngest captain at the tournament since 1950.
“It’s a privilege and an honor, anybody that gets to wear the armband,” Adams said earlier this week. “But what I represent, how I lead, I think anybody that plays with me knows that I’m a leader. That’s just how I’ve been my entire career. Whether I’m wearing the armband or not, that’s how it is.”
Christian Pulisic, the latest in a long line of U.S. players to be nicknamed Captain America, has worn the armband at various times during his national team career, including at the Copa America in the summer of 2024, the USMNT’s last major tournament. He has not been a regular captain under Pochettino, doing so twice. The latest occassion came against Australia, when he had to be substituted after 31 minutes due to an injury. Other players to wear the armband under Pochettino include Matt Turner, Miles Robinson, Mark McKenzie and Chris Richards.
Pulisic (84) and Ream (80) are the two most-capped players in the USMNT World Cup roster.
“Of course it’s important,” former USMNT forward Jozy Altidore, who was in attendance as training kicked off this week, said. “You’re first one out of the tunnel, it’s very important especially in a home World Cup. But when I see this group I see a bunch of leaders.”
Pochettino’s side opens its campaign against Paraguay June 12 outside Los Angeles, before taking on Australia in Seattle on June 19. The Group D slate closes out with a clash against Turkey back in Southern California on June 25.
