Tim Ream, 38, was surprised by the selection and said being named captain of the U.S. men’s national team is an honor he won’t take for granted.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — The player chosen to captain the U.S. men’s national soccer team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup didn’t know he was named captain until The news was made public.
Defender Tim Ream, 38, who will make history as the oldest American player to compete in a World Cup, is known as a strong leader on and off the court.
“Wow,” Rem said. “This is more than just a dream come true. I’ve done everything I can to be a part of this team and help this team move forward. I’m just really, really grateful to be sitting here and receiving this honor.”
Coach Mauricio Pochettino announced the selection at a press conference on Saturday, surprising the Charlotte FC center back.
The newly formed squad came together for the first time this week to begin training at the Arthur M. Bank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia.
Rehm, who ranks eighth on the list of all-time captains, has appeared in 80 games for the U.S. Men’s National Team, 26 of them as captain. According to U.S. Soccer. He also served as captain for 16 of the 23 games Pochettino coached.
Rehm played college soccer at Saint Louis University before joining the New York Red Bulls in 2010. He moved to England with Bolton Wanderers in 2012 before signing with Fulham in 2015 and spending 10 seasons at Craven Cottage. In 2024, he returned to Major League Soccer with Charlotte.
“I’m very grateful that he’s with us because not only is he a great captain on the pitch, he’s probably even more important off the pitch,” Pochettino said. “He has the experience and the ability to be the leader we want and to be a positive leader.”
The United States is scheduled to play a friendly against Senegal on Sunday afternoon.
The opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11.
The United States will host its third and final opening ceremony in Los Angeles on Friday, June 12, with a packed line-up of performers. The other two opening ceremonies will be held in Mexico City and Toronto.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
