Tim Ream, 38, who appeared surprised by the selection, said being named captain of the U.S. men’s national team was an honor that he wouldn’t take for granted.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — The player picked to lead the U.S. men’s national soccer team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup didn’t know he was being named captain until the news was made public.
Defender Tim Ream, 38, who will make history as the oldest U.S. player to appear in a World Cup, is celebrated as a strong leader on and off the pitch.
“Wow,” Ream said. “This is more than a dream come true. I’ve done everything possible to be a part of this group, to help this group along. I’m just really, really grateful to be sitting here, to have this honor.”
Coach Mauricio Pochettino announced the selection Saturday during a news conference, which came as a surprise to the center back Charlotte FC player.
The newly minted team met together for the first time this week to begin training at the Arthur M. Bank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia.
Ream ranks eighth on the all-time captains list, having captained 26 of his 80 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team, according to U.S. Soccer. He has also served as captain for 16 of 23 games under Pochettino’s coaching.
Ream played college soccer for Saint Louis University, then joined the New York Red Bulls in 2010. He moved to England with Bolton in 2012, then signed with Fulham in 2015 and spent 10 seasons at Craven Cottage. He returned to MLS with Charlotte in 2024.
“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 U.S. team is scheduled to play in a friendly match Sunday afternoon against Senegal.
The opening match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11.
The U.S. is hosting the third and final opening ceremony in Los Angeles on Friday, June 12, with a star-studded lineup of performers. The other two opening ceremonies will be held in Mexico City and Toronto.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.