Qatar 2026 World Cup is only three years. There are currently 250 American soccer players in Europe trying to gain the experience required to catch head coach Gregg Berhalter’s attention. With such a talented group of young soccer players, we will go through each player who is plying their trade in Europe and who has a chance of boarding that flight to Qatar.
How Many American Soccer Players Play In Europe
In Europe, soccer managers have realized that American talent has the potential to be discovered. Here is a breakdown of the 250 US soccer players currently playing in Europe in June 2022. We expect this number to continue to grow as they uncover more young stars and lure them to Europe.
- 52 Germany
- 20 Sweden
- 19 England
- 18 Spain
- 13 Finland
- 11 France
- 11 Iceland
- 8 Austria
- 8 Portugal
- 7 Italy
- 7 Belgium
- 6 Netherlands
- 6 Denmark
- 6 Scotland
- 6 Switzerland
- 6 Turkey
- 5 Malta
- 5 Norway
- 5 Slovakia
- 4 Croatia
- 4 Wales
- 3 Ireland
- 3 Czech Republic
- 2 Estonia
- 2 Faroe Islands
- 2 North Macedonia
- 2 Romania
- 2 Slovenia
- 1 Greenland
- 1 Hungary
- 1 Poland
- 1 Ukraine
- 1 Cyprus
- 1 Gibraltar
- 1 Greece
Best American Soccer Players In Europe
We have narrowed the list to 46 American soccer players In Europe who have a solid chance of representing the US at next year’s World Cup. Every one of these players listed below needs to ensure that they are playing regularly and staying injury-free. Do you know how many people play soccer in the US? Currently, there are 4.2 million registered players. These elite players are 0.00001 percent of the American soccer population.
Brenden Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg)
After breaking out in Major League Soccer, Brendan Aaronson is very much on the rise. At just 20, he still has considerable room for improvement within a Red Bull Salzburg team. In each of his games, he shows improved vision and an improved ability to read the play. He is a consistent starter on the team.
Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig)
The work rate of Tyler Adams and his ability on the ball has propelled him into RB Leipzig’s midfield. The New York native is making a push for selection for the 2022 World Cup.
Jonathan Amon (Nordsjaelland)
Despite being a talented winger, Jonathan Amon is way down this list for USA 2026 due to multiple injuries. He is one of the American soccer players in Europe that needs some luck and good health to push for selection.
Tyler Boyd (Rizespor)
New Zealand-born winger has accumulated ten caps for the USMNT in his first year with the team and is playing at a high level with Turkish side Rizespor. Although he has been a regular starter this season, he may have difficulty overtaking some of the other talented wing options.
John Brooks (Wolfsburg)
When healthy, John Brooks remains the USMNT’s best center-back. In the Bundesliga and Europa League, he has been a critical performer for Wolfsburg, so this will be an asset.Â
Tyler Boyd (Sivasspor)
The New Zealand-born winger plays at a high level for the Turkish side Sivasspor. However, if he continues to score goals, he might have another opportunity with the USMNT.
Gianluca Busio (Venezia)
Busio is of Italian descent through his Brescia-born father and holds Italian citizenship. He is currently playing for Venezia and starting regularly. The midfielder is a long shot at boarding the plane.
Reggie Cannon (Boavista)
Fullback Reggie Cannon has become a regular call-up for the USMNT under Gregg Berhalter in the last few years. Cannon looks to be one of the biggest names in the game after moving from FC Dallas to Boavista in Portugal.
Christian Cappis (Brondby)
Christian Cappis turned down a chance to sign with FC Dallas and moved to Europe, where he’s now an integral part of Brondby’s squad. He consistently plays solid soccer for the Danish team.
Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic)
It was announced Cameron Carter-Vickers would sign for Scottish Premiership club Celtic FC for the rest of the 2021–22 season. He scored a deflected free-kick on his debut in a 3–0 win over Ross County. However, he has been playing consistently and will need to excel over the next 12 months to make it to the World Cup.
Timothy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt)
On several occasions, Timothy Chandler has been a part of the USMNT, and he remains one of the program’s biggest mysteries. So far this season, he has not been able to establish himself in the Bundesliga. For whatever reason, Chandler has looked out of place in CONCACAF games, which has resulted in his demotion. Is he able to get a sustained run back in the first 11?
Konrad de la Fuente (Marseille)
The talented winger’s standing is very much based on his potential, but it’s rare to see an American rise through the youth system at a club like Barcelona. Even though Konrad de la Fuente was one of the youngest players on the U-20 squad at the most recent World Cup, he was not out of his depth. However, his final third decision-making needs work. He currently plays for Marseille in the French league.
Luca de la Torre (Heracles Almelo)
A four-year struggle to earn a starting position at Fulham has hindered Luca de la Torre’s progression on the playing field. He is now playing consistently at Heracles Almelo. However, for any chance of making the next World Cup squad, he must follow up on his excellent season in 2020/21.
Sergino Dest (Barcelona)
Barcelona snapped up Sergio Dest because he has developed into a dynamic attacking fullback. This Ajax youth product will provide a competitive option at a traditional position of weakness for the U.S.A. and will be a crucial player for many years to come.
Chris Durkin (Sint-Truiden)
Chris Durkin is one of the latest additions to the list of American soccer players in Europe. He has settled in Europe following his permanent transfer to the Belgian side Sint-Truiden. Chris Durkin has made a strong start for his new club. The midfielder seems to be at last in a position to thrive, having struggled for minutes with D.C. United and has eyes focused on next year’s World Cup.
Nicholas Gioacchini (Montpellier)
Nicholas Gioacchini received his first call up to the senior United States squad for matches against Wales and Panama in November 2020. His consistency, however, is still a concern.
Lynden Gooch (Sunderland)
Lynden Gooch had his best-ever season in English Football League 1, scoring ten goals for the club. Gooch hasn’t earned a cap since 2018 and is yet to achieve this season.
Julian Green (Greuther Fürth)
Julian Green is back in the German top-flight after six years away. He hopes to have more success this time around. In most games this season, Green has been a substitute. Gregg Berhalter would be able to use him to his advantage.
Duane Holmes (Huddersfield Town)
While Duane Holmes hasn’t received much attention from the national team, ignoring what he’s done in England is getting harder. After signing a 3.5-year contract with Huddersfield Town, Holmes has become a regular starter for a good Championship side.
Matthew Hoppe (Mallorca)
Matthew Hoppe is a young American soccer player in Europe. ( This season, he has moved to Mallorca in an attempt to play more first-team soccer. This is yet to happen with only 2 appearances this season. He will need a good run in the second half of the season to be picked in the squad of 23 next November.
Ethan Horvath (Nottingham Forest)
At this point, Ethan Horvath needs a consistent amount of playing time. To be considered for a regular role with the national team, the 26-year-old will need to play consistently over the next twelve months. He is probably the third-choice keeper at Forest, so his chances are very slim to make next year’s World Cup squad.
Richie Ledezma (P.S.V.)
As a perfect fit for Gregg Berhalter’s midfield system, Richie Ledezma’s technical ability should prove invaluable to the USMNT once he makes the step up to the national team. The club seems to have faith in him, as their contract has been extended. Yet, he is not playing consistently to be considered for USA 2026
Ulysses Llanez (Heerenveen)
Ulysses Llanez took a penalty in his senior debut against Costa Rica in February 2020, which gave him the chance to score the game-winner. Despite this, he has yet to crack Heerenveen’s first team this season.
Lennard Maloney (Borussia Dortmund)
The 22-year-old needs to break into the Borussia Dortmund team and become a consistent starter to be considered for next year’s World Cup. Only one start this season yet to date.
Weston McKennie (Juventus)
Weston is the most versatile player in the USMNT program today. Weston McKennie has played everywhere from striker to center-back for Schalke before earning a significant move to Juventus. With this U.S. team, though, he will play as a box-to-box midfielder or as a deep-lying defensive midfielder.
Mark McKenzie (Genk)
A big, strong center-back, Mark McKenzie is currently playing regularly at Genk in Belgium. He is one of the younger American soccer players playing in Europe.
Alex Mendez (Vizela)
Alex Mendez must improve his attacking skills if he hopes to showcase them at the World Cup. Therefore, in July 2021, it was announced that Alex Mendez would transfer to Portuguese club F.C. Vizela.
Matt Miazga (Alaves)
He made his Major League Soccer debut in 2013 after coming through the academy of the New York Red Bulls. The former Chelsea player found a new home at Alaves. But, at 26 years old, he now needs a consistent run of good form.
Shaquell Moore (Tenerife)
Shaq Moore is in the prime years of his career at 25 years old. He is yet to establish himself as a regular this season for Tenerife who are in the second division in Spain. He is a strong 1v1 defender who has plenty of promise.
Yunus Musah (Valencia)
Yunus Musah appeared in 32 games last season for Valencia. He has been in good form for the USMNT. If he can continue the excellent condition for the next year, he will be on the plane to USA 2026 and potentially a central midfielder starting position.
Matthew Olosunde (Preston North End)
Matthew Olosunde signed a two-year contract with Preston North End in June 2021. He is yet to debut
Owen Otasowie (Club Brugge)
For a reported fee of £3.5 million, Owen moved permanently to Club Brugge of the Belgian First Division A. Yet to debut this season.
Erik Palmer-Brown (Troyes)
In addition to earning two senior caps so far, Erik Palmer-Brown has long been a regular leader at the youth level. Currently at Troyes on a season-long loan, however not starting.
Christian Pulisic (Chelsea)
Christian Pulisic has been the USMNT’s undisputed star for years. However, in recent years, Chelsea has seen the winger develop into a critical part of the attack. Big names around the Premier League have hailed the American as a potential world-class star as the 23-year-old continues to meet and exceed expectations.
Christian Ramirez (Aberdeen)
Christian Ramirez is in great form scoring consistently for his new club Aberdeen. The 30-year-old needs the form to stay for any chance of breaking into the USMNT program before the next World Cup.
Tim Ream (Fulham)
Despite being an elder statesman at this point, Tim Ream’s versatility will keep him in the running for next year’s World Cup. When it comes to selecting a team, having defenders who can play across the backline is a huge plus. Unfortunately, Tim has yet to hold down a regular starting spot since Fulham came from the Premiership.
Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Dortmund)
This summer, Giovanni Reyna reaffirmed his growing importance in Borussia Dortmund’s squad by taking Jadon Sancho’s No.7 jersey. He is one of the youngest players ever to make 50 appearances in the Bundesliga. Now Reyna is a regular member of one of Europe’s most promising young teams.
Chris Richards (Hoffenheim)
Over the summer, Chris Richards returned to Bayern Munich to push for selection after a highly productive loan spell with Hoffenheim at the back end of last season. Richards, however, returned to Hoffenheim at the start of this season and has played all games up to November.
Antonee Robinson (Fulham)
Unfortunately, AC Milan’s move for Antonee Robinson was scuttled due to a heart issue, but the Serie A giants were interested was a positive sign. Despite not moving to Italy, his form for Wigan Athletic did earn him a move to Fulham. Since joining Fulham, he has played consistently well.
Emmanuel Sabbi (Odense Boldklub)
Sabbi is a Ghanaian, born in Italy. The majority of his youth was spent playing soccer for the Ohio Premier Soccer Club in Columbus, Ohio. Emmanuel Sabbi is a crucial figure for Odense Boldklub, playing as a regular starter.
Josh Sargent (Norwich)
Despite Josh Sargent’s ups and downs, he managed to help Werder Bremen stay in the Bundesliga. However, now at Norwich, he has yet to establish himself as a regular.
Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach)
Scally got used to life in Germany by playing in Borussia Mönchengladbach reserves after joining the New York City Football Club team in January 2021. However, in light of a fine pre-season with the first team, the teenager now appears to be well and truly settled. Scully started and finished every game in the first three months of the season for Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Zack Steffen (Manchester City)
Zack Steffen faces an uncertain future as the undisputed No. 1 for the USMNT. Injuries hampered his Bundesliga season with Fortuna Dusseldorf, but he has since returned to Manchester City, where he will be No.2. As a young goalkeeper who hopes to become part of an elite group of American goalkeepers, Steffen’s development is crucial to the future of the USMNT.
Timothy Tillman (Greuther Fürth)
The six-foot-tall midfielder has yet to establish himself into the starting team this season at Greuther Fürth. May need to consider going out on loan if he wants to be considered for the USMNT team in 2026 World Cup
Timothy Weah (Lille)
Timothy Weah struggled to find first-team soccer in Lille during the 2019-20 season. However, having played consistently well for Lille since his debut season, Weah has shown a promising winger.
DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaary)
DeAndre Yedlin is 28 years old and still in his prime, and should be a regular for the USMNT for quite a while. Yedlin’s speed will always make him a valuable option in any situation, even if he is a substitute.
We salute all US soccer players abroad. It is brave to leave your family and friends to move to a different culture to chase your dreams. In many of these European clubs, young players are essential to their business models because they are much more affordable, while the big stars are often out of reach. American youth team players are willing to take a much lower contract than youth from other European countries in order to gain experience. If they do leave to move overseas, it’s imperative that they are playing each week and not sitting on the bench making up the numbers.
