USMNT star Gio Reyna buries 2022 drama for 2026

Gio Reyna says he’s moved on from the 2022 USMNT controversy and is focused on helping the United States in the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. is hosting with Mexico and Canada.

Gio Reyna knows what questions still find their way back to him. Even though four years have passed, the 2022 edition of the USMNT still hangs over the conversation—enough that he called it “tiring” when reporters bring it up again.

But Reyna didn’t come to talk about old noise. In a roundtable with reporters on Friday. he framed his mindset around results with the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. a tournament the U.S. is hosting alongside Mexico and Canada. He said he isn’t worrying about the events of 2022 and instead wants to focus on what’s in store for 2026.

Reyna’s path to the World Cup has always been tied to timing. He played a pivotal role in bringing the U.S. back to the World Cup after missing out on the 2018 tournament. Then. in 2022. he barely played under head coach Gregg Berhalter—an experience that turned into controversy and drama between Reyna’s parents and Berhalter.

Now, Reyna says his life and football understanding have both changed. “Obviously, a lot has changed; married now, have a dog,” he said, via ESPN. “I just like to say, I matured and grown up in many aspects of my life.”

On the field. Reyna added that he understands the game differently than he did when he was younger—less about simply reacting. more about what the sport demands from players in tactical systems. “And then as a player. I think I just understand the game a bit more where maybe when I was a bit young. I was just out there playing. doing what I felt. Now there’s obviously still that component to it. but there’s so much more that goes into the game tactically and what coaches and what teams need.”.

He also addressed why the old storyline feels heavy to keep reopening. Reyna said it doesn’t affect him anymore, while admitting that the questions themselves still catch him off guard. “It’s obviously a little bit tiring at this point at the end,” he said. “It doesn’t really affect me anymore. I’m just, to me, it more confuses me when I get asked the question still.”.

Reyna pointed out the distance from that chapter and stressed that his focus right now is immediate and practical: the World Cup. and what he can do to help. “It’s obviously four years removed and I think everyone is so far removed from that. So yeah. it’s hard for me to even think about that because I never really do and I’m just at the moment obviously just thinking about this World Cup and what I can do to help the team.”.

He didn’t just speak about mindset—he also spoke to what comes next for the program under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Reyna says he’s grown since 2022 and wants to move on, with excitement for 2026.

Reyna is set to make his second appearance in the World Cup, having been part of the U.S. squad since 2020. His World Cup readiness is supported by his output over his international stretch: he has scored nine goals in 36 caps. with his most recent goal coming against Paraguay in a 2-1 victory last November.

The U.S. is now shaping its tournament preparation through warmup matches. The USMNT will host Senegal on May 31 at 3:30 p.m. ET, then face Germany on June 6 at 2:30 p.m. ET. After those tests, the World Cup begins for them on June 12 at 9 p.m. ET, when they meet Paraguay.

There’s a simple through-line in Reyna’s comments: the drama of 2022 may still be part of the public record. but he wants the next headlines to be about the outcomes that matter. For him. the calendar is already turning—toward the World Cup. toward the games. and toward earning whatever role he can on a stage that begins in just weeks.

Gio Reyna USMNT 2026 World Cup Gregg Berhalter Mauricio Pochettino Senegal vs USA Germany vs USA Paraguay vs USA USMNT schedule