Will Birmingham’s Chris Richards play in the 2026 World Cup? Here’s the latest
Since being named to the 2026 World Cup roster, Richards has yet to play in any of the pre-World Cup matches.
Olivia Bennett 
The U.S. Men’s National Team is just one week away from kicking off its 2026 World Cup campaign, but uncertainty continues to surround the roster—specifically regarding Birmingham native Chris Richards.
Status for the World Cup Still Uncertain
As the squad prepares for its final pre-World Cup friendly against Germany this Saturday in Chicago (1:30 p.m., TNT), all eyes are on the health of the Crystal Palace defender. Richards has been sidelined for over three weeks following an ankle ligament injury sustained during club play.
While Richards was named to the official USMNT World Cup roster, he has been limited to individual training and has yet to see action in any recent matches. USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed Friday that while Richards will not suit up against Germany, his availability for the upcoming tournament remains a major question mark.
Pochettino Weighs In
Regarding the defender's recovery, Pochettino told reporters, via USA Today: “He’s still not ready to compete and to play. We have the next few days to assess him … and then make a decision.”
Pochettino added that the medical staff is exercising extreme caution: “Maybe if it’s the final of the World Cup he can play. But the advice of the medical team is that he doesn’t play.”
The U.S. squad will need to make a final determination soon, as their opening match of the 2026 World Cup against Paraguay is set for June 12 at 8 p.m. inside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. Fans can catch the opener live on Fox.
