Seven players with Columbus Crew ties will feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including current Crew duo Max Arfsten (USMNT) and Steven Moreira (Cape Verde), while three more — including goalkeeper Patrick Schulte and midfielder Aidan Morris — narrowly missed final rosters. The mix of current and former Crew names underscores the club’s growing role as a talent pipeline and raises stakes for Columbus in 2026.
Columbus Crew’s presence at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: who’s going, who just missed out
Max Arfsten and Steven Moreira headline a group of seven players with Columbus Crew connections named to 2026 World Cup squads. Their selections — alongside former Crew standouts now playing abroad — spotlight Columbus as an increasingly influential developer of international talent.
Max Arfsten: Crew’s breakthrough on the USMNT stage
Max Arfsten becomes the first Columbus Crew player to make a US World Cup roster since Brian McBride in 2002. The 25-year-old has 18 caps for the USMNT and has delivered 14 goals in 87 regular-season games for Columbus across four seasons. Arfsten’s inclusion rewards consistent production and gives the Crew a genuine marquee presence on the global stage.
Steven Moreira: history-making defender for Cape Verde
Steven Moreira is part of Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup squad. A steady presence since joining Columbus in 2021, Moreira has logged 144 appearances for the club. His selection highlights the Crew’s ability to recruit and integrate experienced internationals who can deliver in high-pressure qualifying campaigns.
Former Crew players carrying the club’s legacy at the World Cup
Several ex-Crew players will also compete in 2026, reinforcing Columbus’s reputation as a launchpad.
Cucho Hernández — Colombia
Juan Camilo “Cucho” Hernández, who left Columbus for La Liga’s Real Betis before the 2025 season, earned a Colombia spot. Hernandez scored 58 goals during his time with the Crew, finishing as one of the club’s top-ever scorers and proving MLS can produce elite attacking talent that transitions successfully to Europe and to national teams.
Sebastian Berhalter — United States
Sebastian Berhalter, a product of the Crew academy who made nine senior appearances for the club, also made his national side’s trip. His path from Columbus academy to World Cup roster underscores the club’s youth-development pipeline and the long-term payoff of investing in homegrown players.
Derrick Etienne Jr., Milos Degenek, Eloy Room — Haiti, Australia, Curaçao
Derrick Etienne Jr., a former Crew midfielder and MLS Cup winner now with Toronto FC, joins Haiti — the nation’s first World Cup appearance in 52 years. Milos Degenek and Eloy Room, both past Crew defenders/keepers, will represent Australia and Curaçao respectively. Their selections illustrate how former Crew players remain internationally relevant after moving on.
Near misses: Crew-linked players who fell short
Not every Crew-connected candidate made the final cut.
Patrick Schulte — goalkeeper
Patrick Schulte was in contention for one of the USMNT’s goalkeeper spots and attended a late national team camp, but ultimately did not make the three-man roster. Schulte’s proximity to selection signals growing recognition of Columbus-produced goalkeeping talent, even if he’ll return to club duties.
Aidan Morris and Jacen Russell-Rowe
Aidan Morris, a former Crew midfielder, was also under consideration for the USMNT but missed selection. Jacen Russell-Rowe, who attended Canada’s pre-tournament camp, was among the final cuts. Those near-misses reflect the thin margins at international selection and the competitive depth facing players tied to the Crew.
What this means for Columbus Crew — short and medium term analysis
Player representation at the World Cup raises the Crew’s profile in multiple ways. Immediate impacts include increased visibility for the club’s academy and scouting network, potential transfer-market interest in standout performers, and the short-term challenge of navigating the 2026 MLS season with international absences or post-tournament fatigue.
On-field and strategic implications
Having current starters on World Cup rosters forces Columbus to plan for rotations and depth deployment. For former players, their international stages serve as showcases that can boost the Crew brand and attract prospective recruits who see Columbus as a viable pathway to global tournaments.
Longer-term significance
Seven World Cup participants with Crew ties is a statement about the franchise’s development model and recruitment strategy. It strengthens Columbus’s argument as a stepping-stone club that prepares players for elite competition, while also raising expectations among fans and management to convert that talent pipeline into consistent MLS success.
Looking ahead
The World Cup will test the players’ peak performance and the Crew’s capacity to manage the ripple effects. For Arfsten and Moreira, standout tournaments could prompt transfer interest or cement leadership roles back in Columbus.
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For the club, balancing short-term squad needs with long-term development will be the key managerial and sporting challenge through and after 2026.
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