Birmingham native Chris Richards named to USMNT's 2026 World Cup squad
Chris Richards of Birmingham was named to the USMNT World Cup squad while recovering from injury with Crystal Palace.
Olivia Bennett 
The roster for the 2026 U.S. Men’s National Team is officially set. On Monday, with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge serving as the backdrop, the 26 players selected to represent the United States on the global stage were revealed.
Birmingham’s Own on the World Stage
Among those selected is Birmingham native Chris Richards, marking a significant milestone in his career as he prepares for his first-ever World Cup appearance. Richards is one of 13 players on the roster set to make their tournament debut. To date, he has logged 36 appearances and netted three goals for the national team.
Club Business in London
While Richards was unable to attend the NYC announcement in person, he shared an enthusiastic message for the fans from London. He is currently focused on Crystal Palace, which is set to compete in the UEFA Conference League Final this Wednesday.
“Really looking forward to meeting up with you guys,” Richards said. “I’ve got business to finish first, but I can’t wait to get out there with you boys. I’m so ecstatic and super happy to be part of this group. I’m ready to go to work, win some games, and go far and lift a trophy after this. Have fun in New York, and I’ll see y’all in Atlanta.”
Injury Update and Road to the Cup
Richards has been working his way back to full fitness after sustaining an injury during a match against Brentford a few weeks ago. He was sidelined for Crystal Palace's Premier League finale against Arsenal this past Sunday, and his status for Wednesday’s match remains uncertain.
Following his club commitments, Richards will join the USMNT in Atlanta to begin team preparations. The squad will then gear up for two international friendlies: a match against Senegal in Charlotte followed by a showdown with Germany in Chicago.
The U.S. will officially kick off their 2026 World Cup journey against Paraguay on June 12 at 8 p.m. CT, with the match taking place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. For more coverage on the national team, keep it locked to 205focus.com.
