Haji Wright, Jordan Morris and Shaq Moore are the shock inclusions in Gregg Berhalter's USMNT World Cup squad as Zack Steffen, Ricardo Pepi and Paul Arriola miss out

Haji Wright, Jordan Morris and Shaq Moore have all been included in Gregg Berhalter's USA 26-man roster for the World Cup.

The USMNT head coach had been sweating on the health on a host of players but named his squad for the showpiece tournament Wednesday, with some big surprises. 

Antalyaspor's 24-year-old Wright was a shock name when announced in the team but he is the second top scorer in the Turkish Super Lig and in form.


While Seattle Sounders' Morris and Nashville SC's Moore have worked their way into the roster.

Central defense has been an area of concern for the United States for some time following the long-term injury to Atlanta United's Miles Robinson and Tuesday's news that Chris Richards' leg injury ruled him out of the tournament

Antalyaspor's 24-year-old Haji Wright was the shock inclusion in USA's World Cup squad
Seattle Sounders Jordan Morris has managed to work way into tournament plans

Antalyaspor's 24-year-old Haji Wright (L) was the shock inclusion in USA's World Cup squad, while Seattle Sounders Jordan Morris (R) has managed to work way into the plans

USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter has named his 26-man roster for the Qatar World Cup

USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter has named his 26-man roster for the Qatar World Cup

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Zack Steffen was a surprise omission from the World Cup squad

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Zack Steffen was a surprise omission from the World Cup squad

Fulham center back Ream has been included with Genk's Mark McKenzie and Boavista's Reggie Cannon not making the cut. 

Other notable omissions include Rangers' Malik Tillman and CF Montreal's Djordje Mihailovic in the midfield ranks while FC Groningen's Ricardo Pepi and FC Dallas's Paul Arriola also missed out.

Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan has been included while Union Berlin's Jordan Pefok has failed to win over Berhalter. 

Josh Sargent, who plays in England's tier 2 with Norwich, has been selected as part of Berhalter's attacking options. 

USMNT WORLD CUP ROSTER

Goalkeepers: Matt Turner, Sean Johnson, Ethan Horvath

Defenders: Sergino Dest, Antonee Robinson, Joe Scally, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Walker Zimmerman, DeAndre Yedlin, Aaron Long, Tim Ream, Shaq Moore

MidfieldersBrenden Aaronson, Weston McKennie, Yunus Mensah, Tyler Adams, Kellyn Acosta, Luca de la Torre, Cristian Roldan

Strikers: Jesus Ferreira, Jordan Morris, Christian Pulisic, Giovanni Reyna, Josh Sargent, Timothy Weah, Haji Wright

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Arsenal's Matt Turner, New York City FC's Sean Johnson and Luton Town's Ethan Horvath have been named as the three goalkeepers. Middlesbrough's Zack Steffen was a surprise omission from the squad.

Meanwhile 19-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach right back Joe Scully was also included. 

Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie is currently sidelined with a quad injury but his position in the roster was never under threat.

Captain Christian Pulisic, Borussia Dortmund's Giovanni Reyna and Leeds stars Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams are among the stars in the traveling party to Qatar.

Pulisic's preparation for the showpiece tournament has been far from ideal with limited game time at Premier League club Chelsea.

But he's still expected to lead the way once the USA kick-off their campaign against Wales on November 21. 

Nine players are from Major League Soccer; eight are with English clubs; two each are based in Germany, Italy and Spain; and one apiece plays in France, Scotland and Turkey.

Scally and midfielder Yunus Musah are just 19. Winger Reyna, a son of former US captain Claudio Reyna, turns 20 on Sunday. The average age of 25 years, 175 days as of the opener is the second-youngest for the US at a World Cup behind 24 years, 24 days in 1990.

After kicking off its World Cup campaign against Wales, the USMNT then faces England in a Black Friday matchup, before finishing Group B against Iran on November 29.

Nashville SC defender Shaq Moore (left) was also a surprise inclusion in roster Wednesday

Nashville SC defender Shaq Moore (left) was also a surprise inclusion in roster Wednesday

FC Groningen's Ricardo Pepi (above) and FC Dallas's Paul Arriola also missed out

FC Groningen's Ricardo Pepi (above) and FC Dallas's Paul Arriola also missed out

Chelsea winger and USA captain Christian Pulisic (R) with Wright during game in June

Chelsea winger and USA captain Christian Pulisic (R) with Wright during game in June