USMNT defender Miles Robinson eyes 2026 World Cup roster spot

Miles Robinson knows his value as a center-back and believes he can contribute to the United States men's national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino will decide the roster on May 26. Robinson made the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup team under Pochettino last summer.

The FC Cincinnati player focuses on his Major League Soccer season while eyeing his first World Cup. "It would mean so much," he told Fox News Digital. "I think it’s one of those things where I envisioned myself like when I was seven, watching the World Cup or whatever. I almost like dreamed I could do, but I never really believed it. Then, next thing you know, I’m actually playing for the national team and things like that."

He called it a full-circle moment. "I’ll make sure I’ll tell other kids that I really just believed in myself and I think that’s the type of thought process that can get people much farther than they really can imagine. It’s just that deep sense of belief within yourself and grounding yourself in love. It can really go a long way."

Robinson ruptured his left Achilles in May 2022 during a game against the Chicago Fire, one month before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Many expected him on Gregg Berhalter’s roster, but the injury sidelined him.

The setback tested him but built his mental and physical strength. "I think in those tough moments, you learn the most about yourself," he said. "I definitely learned a lot about just kind of overcoming struggles, on and off the field. I think it was a tough moment for me, but I grounded myself in gratitude and being so grateful for my friends and family who supported me, and my teammates who wished good things upon me and my leg and things like that."

He focused inward. "Then, I recognized it was me versus me. It’s not about anything else. I just wanted to continue to get better and improve just for me rather than for anything else or anyone else. That’s when I definitely took that next step in my career and my development as a player and as a person."

Now healthy, Robinson pushes for a USMNT spot but stays present-focused. FC Cincinnati faces Inter Miami at home on Wednesday night. Miami eliminated them from last year’s MLS Playoffs.

"Every game’s an opportunity to show yourself, but also to get better and improve," he said. "For Miami and Cincinnati, Miami kicked us out of the playoffs last year, so we got that kinda bitter taste in our mouth. For us, it’s focusing on how we play, how we press and if we do that, it should be a great game. In the back of our minds, it’s the future, but we’re trying to focus in on the present."

Like other USMNT hopefuls, Robinson waits in suspense. "I’m just grateful to be in this situation, potentially on the roster," he said. "I’m just trying to chip away. I’m healthy. …In general, I’m just grateful and I’m excited for sure because I know this summer’s going to be amazing."

Robinson partners with Bounty paper towels to handle messes from grilling on his Cincinnati deck for teammates, friends and family. "The biggest mess I probably ever cleaned up, recently I was grilling on my deck and I had a beverage that spilled and there was glass and beverage everywhere," he said. "Gladly, I had Bounty and one sheet swiped it all away. It was all good, honestly."

"Sometimes, have to clean up some mistakes from my teammates and Bounty hooked it up with this sponsorship, so I’m proud to be a part with them because they’re always cleaning up messes as well."