Matt Freese, a 27-year-old goalkeeper with an economics degree from Harvard University, is poised to start the United States Men’s National Team’s opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The fixture against Paraguay is scheduled for June 12 at night in Los Angeles.
Freese’s rise to the starting position follows a dominant performance during the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he saved three penalties in a quarterfinal shootout. Since his national team debut in 2025, he has started 13 of the last 14 matches, effectively displacing established starter Matt Turner through sustained excellence.
The final roster, announced on May 26, includes Freese and Turner alongside Chris Brady. Following the Paraguay match, the USMNT will face Australia on June 19 and Türkiye on June 25 to complete Group D play in this co-hosted tournament with Canada and Mexico.