Cincinnati soccer fans have a major reason to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Miles Robinson.
In May, FC Cincinnati’s star center back was named to the United States Men’s National Soccer Team. Robinson has proven to be a star since joining Cincinnati in 2024. If you’re not familiar with his game, here are some facts to know for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. taking place June 11-July 19.
Robinson is a Massachusetts native
Robinson hails from Arlington, Massachusetts. When asked by the USMNT what his favorite chilhood memory from his hometown is, he answered with something even Cincinnatians can relate to: “I liked the snow days we had.”
“We’d all go to this massive hill down the street and spend the whole day sledding,” he said.
He attended Syracuse University, where he led the team to the semifinals of the 2015 NCAA College Cup. He earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors and was named to the ACC All-Tournament Team. He also tied for third on the team in goals with four.
Robinson was selected as the No. 2 overall pick by Atlanta United in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. He played with the Georgia-based team until 2023. He signed with FC Cincinnati in January 2024.
He’s the second-ever FCC player to make a World Cup roster
Robinson became the first active FC Cincinnati player to be named to a U.S. roster for a FIFA World Cup. The 26-man roster was announced May 26 in New York City.
The 29-year-old is also 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).
He made his USMNT debut in 2019
Cincinnati’s star defender has 40 career caps for the USMNT since his national team debut in 2019.
However, it wasn’t until 2021 that he cemented himself as a top player during the 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, per FC Cincinnati.
A ruptured Achilles tendon sidelined him from the 2022 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup marks Robinson’s return to the world stage after heartbreak in 2022.
Robinson made six starts in World Cup qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup but was unable to participate in the Qatar World Cup after rupturing his left Achilles tendon on May 7, 2022, while playing for Atlanta United.
Following surgery and recovery, Robinson worked his way back to the USMNT picture in 2023 and 2024, where he started and played the full 90 minutes in all four matches for the U.S. Olympic Team at the Paris Summer Olympics.
He was named an MLS All-Star in both 2024 and 2025
FC Cincinnati has had multiple MLS All-Stars in recent years, including Robinson, who recieved the honor in back-to-back years.
He was named an MLS All-Star for the second consecutive season in 2025 after making the All-Star roster in 2024. It marked the third time in his career after he was also named an All-Star in 2021 with Atlanta United.
Robinson, who signed a new contract last summer, is the highest-paid center back in the league. According to The Athletic, his salary tops at $4 million.
The Cincinnati Enquirer’s James Weber contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who is Miles Robinson? Facts about USMNT, FC Cincinnati star
Reporting by Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
