MONROVIA – Two stellar footballers with deep Liberian heritage, Timothy Weah and Haji Wright, have been named to the United States Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sparking intense pride and celebration among some Liberians at home and across the diaspora.
By Christopher C. Walker [email protected] | 0777898224
The United States Soccer Federation officially unveiled its final World Cup roster in New York, confirming both players in the squad for the historic tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
For Timothy Weah, the call-up marks his second consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance.
The 26-year-old dynamic attacker first featured on the global stage at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where he made an immediate impact for the Americans.
In his World Cup debut against Wales in 2022, Weah etched his name into football folklore by scoring the United States’ opening goal of the tournament with a composed finish following a brilliant assist from Christian Pulisic. That historic strike made him the first son of an African Ballon d’Or winner to score at a FIFA World Cup, extending a legendary football lineage deeply rooted in Liberia.
Weah, the son of Liberian football icon and former President George Manneh Weah, enters the 2026 tournament with significantly more maturity and tactical responsibility.
At the club level, he is coming off a solid campaign with French Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille where he spent the season on loan from his Italian parent club, Serie A giants Juventus.
His blistering pace, defensive work rate, and positional versatility have made him an indispensable asset in the U.S. tactical setup.
Alongside Weah is lethal forward Haji Wright, another player of Liberian descent who has steadily cemented his position as a crucial component of the U.S. national team.
Wright earned his ticket to the tournament through clinical goal-scoring displays at the club level and highly impactful substitute appearances on the international stage, adding crucial depth and power to the American frontline.
The inclusion of both stars further underscores Liberia’s quiet but expanding influence on contemporary global football, with both athletes maintaining a proud connection to their ancestral homeland while competing for one of CONCACAF’s powerhouse nations.
The roster announcement gala in New York also brought emotional family moments. Members of the prestigious Weah family, including Liberia’s former First Lady Clar Marie Weah, were in attendance to witness Timothy’s milestone selection.
Sports enthusiasts and Liberian supporters gathered globally online to toast what many described as a monumental victory for the country’s footballing DNA.
As kickoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws near, both Weah and Wright are projected to be front and center of the Americans’ campaign.
Beyond their technical contributions on the pitch, their presence on the world’s grandest sporting stage symbolizes Liberia’s enduring footprint on global footballcarrying heritage, history, and a nation’s quiet pride into every match.
