FC Cincinnati center back Miles Robinson has been officially named to the U.S. roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Listed on the 26-man roster that coach Mauricio Pochettino released, Robinson was introduced on stage in front of a large crowd during a live television event in Manhattan. He had jersey No. 12, the same he wears for Cincinnati.
National reporters leaked the roster over the weekend. Robinson did not dress for FC Cincinnati’s win over Orlando City on May 23 as a precaution against injuries.
Robinson and the rest of the USMNT will report to Irvine, California, in the Los Angeles area. Their first game is June 12 in Los Angeles against Paraguay.
Robinson had been on the bubble after dealing with multiple injuries during the 2026 season. He is the highest-paid center back in MLS.
“It’s a dream come true. I’m ecstatic,” said Robinson in a press release from FC Cincinnati. “It’s an honor to represent the city and FC Cincinnati. I hope I can make them proud. I think about all the hard work which allowed me to get here, so many days waking up early, so many practices, but all that work has led me to these next few months. So, I’m hoping to be at my absolute best come the World Cup.”
Robinson becomes the first active FC Cincinnati player to be named to a U.S. roster for a FIFA World Cup and the second player in club history to be named to a World Cup roster while a member of the Orange and Blue (Ronald Matarrita, Costa Rica – 2022).
“We’re thrilled that Miles will represent the USMNT at this summer’s World Cup,” FC Cincinnati General Manager Chris Albright said. “We’re incredibly proud of the work he’s put in to earn this opportunity. Miles is an exceptional player, teammate and ambassador for our club, and we look forward to following him and the team this summer.”
Robinson has made 38 career caps for the USMNT. The Arlington, Massachusetts, native made his national team debut in 2019 and broke onto the scene for the national team in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, where he started every game and played every minute in the six games, including scoring the game-winning goal in extra time against Mexico in the final.
He made six starts in World Cup qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup but was unable to participate in the World Cup in Qatar due to a ruptured Achilles tendon while playing for Atlanta United in May. Robinson worked his way back into the national team picture in 2023, and in 2024, he started and went the full 90 minutes in all four matches for the U.S. Olympic Team at the Paris Summer Olympics.
Pavel Bucha could play for Czechia
FC Cincinnati midfielder Pavel Bucha is on the preliminary 29-man roster for Czechia. Bucha will play in Prague May 31 in a friendly against Kosovo. After that match, three players will be cut for the final 26-player list.
The Czechs qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2006 after beating Ireland and Denmark in penalty kicks in the UEFA playoffs in March. Bucha was on the roster for both games but did not play.
Bucha had two assists against Orlando. After the Orlando win, Bucha was looking forward to playing the friendly.
“That’s my chance to prove to the coaches on our national team that I’m the right guy to be on the squad for the World Cup,” Bucha said. “Hopefully this performance (here) will help me go in there with some confidence and show them that I can be an important part of the team.”
FC Cincinnati’s Bryan Ramirez is not on Ecuador’s preliminary roster as they prepare their final 26-man list. Ramirez has been called up for his national team multiple times in the past year but has not seen the pitch.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati’s Miles Robinson named to USMNT World Cup roster
Reporting by James Weber, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
