sport news World Cup: Christian Pulisic delivers, Tyler Adams stars - player ratings for ... trends now
The dust has settled on the USA's deflating 3-1 loss to Holland in the Round of 16, but there are plenty of positives to take from this tournament.
The defense (mostly) held up, Tyler Adams showed why he's captain and plenty others impressed as well.
However, with the next World Cup roughly four years away, there are no guarantees of who will continue to be involved.
Below, Sportsmail delivers the verdict on every USA player's performance in Qatar and rates their chances of involvement in 2026.
There were plenty of positives to take from the USA's trip to Qatar in the World Cup
MATT TURNER
Though he wasn't asked to make too many saves in the group stages, Turner came up big when it mattered, stifling Ben Davies and Mason Mount vs. Wales and England respectively.
He'll want the penalty he let in vs. Gareth Bale back, as he got a hand on the ball, but he was helpless for all three goals vs. Holland.
Matt Turner was impressive in goal at his first World Cup, and he'll hope it's not his last
Turner was solid and didn't at all seem out of place on the world stage, and looks to have cemented a No. 1 spot in goal which was previously in question.
Tournament rating: 7.5
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
SERGINO DEST
Entering the tournament short of game time on loan at AC Milan, Dest held up about as well as you could've reasonably hoped for.
He was a constant source of offense for the USA on the right flank, completing the most dribbles on the team in Qatar (five, per FBref.com), taking the second-most shots (six) and contributing a huge assist for Christian Pulisic's decisive goal vs. Iran.
Sergino Dest was productive on the ball for the USA, offering width on the right hand side
Concerns regarding the right-back's defensive ability were mostly quietened, though he was caught sleeping for Daley Blind's goal for Holland on the stroke of halftime.
Tournament rating: 7.5
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
WALKER ZIMMERMAN
Part of a defensive unit that didn't allow a goal from open play in the group stage, there was more good than bad for Zimmerman, though there were mistakes as well.
His poorly-timed tackle on Bale handed Wales a penalty and a point in the tournament opener, and his distribution was at times sloppy vs. England.
He lost his starting place vs. Iran but returned to the XI vs. Holland.
The Nashville SC defender was fine in Qatar, but the USA may be looking to upgrade here, especially given the fact he'll be 33 in 2026.
Tournament rating: 6
Will he be back in 2026?: JURY'S OUT
TIM REAM
Somewhat of a pleasant surprise to even make the squad, Ream started every match and was solid at the back, bringing the steadiness and experience that you'd expect a Premier League defender to.
Him and Adams were the only outfield players to not sit a single minute in Qatar, and Berhalter was rewarded for his trust in the Fulham man.
Tim Ream (L) and Walker Zimmerman (R) played in the center of the USA's defense in Qatar
He offered a bit more on the ball than Zimmerman, as he completed 67.6 percent of long passes while the latter only completed 58.6.
Ream's World Cup career will be one and done as he's 35.
Tournament rating: 7
Will he be back in 2026?: NO
ANTONEE ROBNSON
Like Dest on the opposite side, Robinson got involved in the attack, though his end product was at times lacking.
He also lost Denzel Dumfries at the back post for Holland's last goal in the Round of 16.
Fulham full back Antonee Robinson was solid defensively on the left for the USA team
Robinson covered tons of ground on the left and helped quiet Bukayo Saka vs. England, but the next step is offering a bit more going forward.
Tournament rating: 7
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
TYLER ADAMS
With the weight of the captain's armband on his 23-year-old shoulders, Adams delivered for the USA with tireless midfield performances in Qatar.
The Leeds midfielder was equal parts tenacity and composure, as he helped the US navigate a tricky group and a nail-biting finish vs. Iran.
No one won more tackles (nine) than him in Qatar, and only Robinson made more ball recoveries.
Adams was the team's most consistent performer, giving his more attack-minded teammates the license to go forward and massively burgeoning his reputation.
Tournament rating: 8.5
Will he be back in 2026?: YES
WESTON MCKENNIE
McKennie didn't play 90 minutes once in the tournament as he was coming back from a thigh injury, but he made his time on the field count.
The Texas native flashed his athleticism in the midfield,
