It’s no secret that soccer is about to reach a fever pitch across North America as 16 cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada will play host to the world’s largest sporting spectacle, the FIFA World Cup.
There’s a bit more excitement in the New England region this time around as Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium, renamed to “Boston Stadium”, will host five group stage matches plus an additional Round of 32 and Quarter-Final match in the tournament.
In addition to hosting games, the 2026 World Cup will feature some familiar names for fans. Here’s a look at every current or former New England-based footballer who will represent their nation in this summer’s tournament.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner is the lone current Revolution representative at this summer’s tournament as he was one of 26 players named to Mauricio Pochettino’s roster.
A big factor in Turner’s return to New England was to get more playing time ahead of this summer’s World Cup, and it paid off big time as the keeper clocked 2,070 minutes since returning.
Turner enters this summer’s World Cup with 53 caps and 27 clean sheets for the U.S. under his belt. The Park Ridge, New Jersey native’s time at the international window has seen him help the United States secure a Gold Cup title in 2021 and back-to-back Concacaf Nations League titles in 2022/23 and 2023/24.
Matt Turner and the U.S. find themselves in Group D alongside Türkiye, Paraguay, and Australia. They begin their quest for the cup on June 12 when they face Paraguay. June 19 sees them square off against Australia before they conclude the group stage on June 25.
Unfortunately, goalkeeper JD Gunn was not one of the 26 players to represent Panama at this summer’s tournament.
Since joining Revolution II in 2024 and the first team in 2026, Gunn has received several call-ups to the Panama National Team, earning two caps for the Central American nation.
This summer’s tournament will also see some former Revolution players take the stage. Former New England Revolution forward Esmir Bajraktarević returns to North America after spending the past year and a half with Dutch Eredivisie side PSV following a three-year stint with the Revolution.
After coming up through the United States youth system and making one senior appearance, Bajraktarević switched his allegiance to Bosnia & Herzegovina, and it has paid dividends. Bajraktarević enters this summer’s World Cup with 14 caps for Bosnia.
Bajraktarević played a crucial role in getting Bosnia & Herzegovina to the World Cup, converting in the fourth round of a penalty shootout against Italy to secure the victory in the World Cup Qualifying Playoff.
Bajraktarević and Bosnia & Herzegovina find themselves in Group B alongside host nation Canada, Qatar, and Switzerland. They begin their run to the World Cup on June 12 when they square off against Canada inside Toronto Stadium. June 18 sees them travel to Los Angeles Stadium to take on Switzerland before concluding the group stage against Qatar inside Seattle Stadium on June 24.
Former Revs midfielder Tajon Buchanan looks poised to play in his second World Cup as he was one of 32 players named to Canada’s preliminary roster, with the final roster coming on May 29.
Jesse Marsch and Canada find themselves in Group B alongside Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland. Canada kicks off the Group Stage on June 12th when they face Bosnia & Herzegovina. June 18 sees them face Qatar before wrapping up the Group Stage on June 24, facing Switzerland.
