Tanner Tessmann has high aspirations for the U.S. men’s national team heading into 2026. The Lyon midfielder is back in USMNT camp ahead of upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Australia over the next five days. Tessmann, who has quickly become a key contributor for Lyon in France’s Ligue 1, is among several midfielders fighting to be part of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad long-term. Although his individual goal is to be part of Pochettino’s World Cup squad next summer, Tessmann wants the USMNT to be the best they can be for the home tournament. “We want to be the best National Team and fight to win the World Cup, and with that comes a lot of competition in the team,” Tessmann said during a conference call Wednesday. “Each time you’re in camp, you have to make the most of it and try to fight your way into the next one.”Tessmann has been amongst the highs and lows during his club career in Europe. After moving to Italian club Venezia from FC Dallas in July 2021, Tessmann got his first taste of top-flight action in Serie A before Venezia suffered relegation to Serie B in Spring 2022. He helped the Venice-based club earn promotion back to Serie A that following season before eventually suffering the drop yet again to the second-tier in quick succession. Tessmann made 99 appearances for Venezia during his three years there, teaming up with fellow American Gianluca Busio, and scoring 10 goals in all competitions. Despite almost suffering relegation to Serie C at one point, Tessmann admitted that Venezia’s bounce-back to the top-flight after his first season abroad really help boost his individual confidence as a player. “I think that year, that confidence really boosted me into just believing that whatever situation we’re in or whatever team I’m in, I can always try to rise to the top and help the team the best I can,” Tessmann said. “It’s just a never-quit mentality of going in and knowing that it’s never finished, and there’s always more games to play, and have that faith and belief in yourself.”Tessmann has risen to a new level with Lyon over the past 14 months, making 44 appearances, and scoring three goals for the club. The former Clemson University football player has featured in European competitions, recently scoring the winner for Lyon in a 1-0 road victory over FC Utrecht in Europa League play. Paulo Fonseca’s squad are 2-0-0 in Europa League play this fall while also sitting one point off of Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain for the top spot in domestic play. Tessmann has enjoyed the opportunity of featuring weekly for Lyon this season and admitted that the club is rising to the occasion despite not having any major stars on their roster. “I think our team has no big star,” Tessmann said. “We’re all younger kids trying to make our way and find our careers. I think we just have a really hungry team that wants to show what it’s like to play at a big club and play in big competitions, and we want to bring Lyon back to the Champions League.”Tessmann could reach double-digit caps for the USMNT this window, should he feature in both matches over the next week.