Tim Ream’s remarkable journey has reached a new pinnacle. On Saturday, U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino named the 38-year-old St. Louis center back as captain of the USMNT heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ream, who has earned 80 caps for his country, has already served as captain in 26 matches — placing him eighth on the all-time list. Under Pochettino, the veteran defender has worn the armband in 16 of the Argentine’s 23 matches in charge, including the coach’s debut victory against Panama in Austin, Texas, in October 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 announcement came during Saturday’s pre-match press conference at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center, with Ream sitting alongside his coach. The veteran defender was visibly moved by the honor.
“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.”
While Pochettino noted that the captaincy does not guarantee Ream a starting spot, the Charlotte FC defender will lead the team onto the field Sunday afternoon in front of his club’s home supporters. The USMNT faces Senegal at 3:30 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium in the Allstate Continental Clásico.
Sunday’s match serves as the penultimate fixture before the 2026 World Cup opens for the United States in Los Angeles. The Americans will wrap up their pre-tournament schedule against Germany on June 6 in Chicago.
At 38, Ream represents the steadying presence and hard-earned wisdom Pochettino values as the U.S. prepares to compete on home soil in the World Cup. For a player who has long been a reliable servant of the national team program, Saturday’s announcement marks a fitting capstone to a distinguished international career — and the beginning of what the St. Louis native hopes will be a memorable final chapter on the biggest stage.
