Mauricio Pochettino has named his captain for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Tim Ream has been named the U.S. men’s national team’s captain for the upcoming tournament, Pochettino confirmed Saturday in his prematch press conference. The 38-year-old has worn the captain’s armband in 16 of the USMNT’s 23 matches that Pochettino has been in charge of. This is more than a dream come true,” Ream said. “I’ve done everything possible to be a part of this group, to help this group along, and I’m really grateful to be sitting here and to have this honor. At the same time, it’s not going to change what I do or who I am and how I help the group… it’s the highest honor for me with this group for the World Cup, and I’m not going to take that for granted.”Ream has earned 80 caps to date with the USMNT and was part of the program’s last World Cup involvement in 2022. After a lengthy career in England with Bolton Wanderers and Fulham, Ream made his move back to MLS where he’s remained a consistent starter for Charlotte FC. He will have the opportunity to captain the USMNT on Sunday when the Americans face off with Senegal in friendly action. It will be the USMNT’s penultimate match before World Cup group stage play begins. “I am so grateful that he is with us because he’s a great captain not only on the field, he’s maybe more important off the field,” Pochettino said. “He has the experience, he has the capacity to be the leader that we want and to be a positive leader.”The USMNT will conclude their World Cup tune-ups on June 6 against Germany in Chicago, Illinois.