World Cup Watch: USA Star ‘Jedi’ Robinson As soon as Thought He Might Miss Out

[ad_1] MARIETTA, Georgia — There was a second not way back when Antonee "Jedi" Robinson thought he might be out of the 2026 World Cup image.

Accidents and setbacks have plagued the U.S. males’s nationwide group and Fulham star fullback for a couple of yr and a half, and with this summer time’s event on house soil looming, he didn’t know if he’d have sufficient time to get again within the combine.

"Yeah," Robinson bluntly informed reporters on Friday in the course of the USA's coaching on the apply facility of MLS membership Atlanta United when requested if lacking the World Cup was on his thoughts.

However USA supervisor Mauricio Pochettino referred to as Robinson up as a part of the 27-man roster for March camp, which options matches towards Belgium (Saturday) and Portugal (Tuesday) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. That is the final coaching camp earlier than Pochettino pronounces his remaining World Cup roster on Could 26, so being with the squad now could be necessary, particularly for a man like Robinson who hasn’t appeared for the nationwide group since matches towards Jamaica in November 2024.

Robinson sustained a knee harm in October 2024 throughout friendlies towards Mexico and Panama that finally required surgical procedure the next spring. It prevented him from enjoying with the USA eventually yr’s Concacaf Nations League semifinals in March, in addition to the Gold Cup that summer time. He was referred to as as much as the USA final October, however Robinson mentioned he pulled himself out of camp as a result of he wasn’t 100%. Robinson has performed 15 of 31 Premier League matches for Fulham this season, together with the final three.

(Photograph by Izzy Poles - AMA/Getty Pictures)

He hopes to characteristic in Pochettino’s lineup this week.

"I’m absolutely match for the time being, absolutely obtainable for all video games, all coaching," Robinson mentioned. "I’ve been capable of get myself in fairly fine condition. Again on the membership, I’ve been obtainable for every part. I haven’t missed any coaching periods, and I’ve been type of progressing how I’m feeling. [Now it’s] translating to enjoying video games and getting again as much as being sharp and being prepared.

"I really feel bodily good, again in type and searching ahead to hopefully getting an opportunity to do this on this camp."

Robinson began each match of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He’s been a dependable left again for membership and nation, was thought-about the highest left again within the Premier League final yr, and was voted U.S. Soccer’s male participant of the yr in 2024. When he missed the Nations League semis a yr in the past, teammates like Tim Ream spoke of how Robinson is "extraordinarily troublesome to exchange." For a participant of that stature, when wholesome, it might be smart to think about him as a shoo-in for a World Cup roster. However going by accidents created nervousness for Robinson.

"There was plenty of concern for me to be sincere," Robinson mentioned. "I imply, clearly I had surgical procedure on my knee, the rehab didn’t go as easily as I hoped it might. Even after I got here again and I used to be attempting to coach and play, I nonetheless wasn’t fairly prepared.

"After which I got here out to my first camp in October and I couldn’t play. Needed to form of take myself out, return to membership and nonetheless miss a while. So yeah, I imply, realistically I’ve not performed a U.S. sport for over a yr and a half now, I believe. So there was no type of certainty on my finish that I used to be going to be match and obtainable and make it as a result of it simply appeared like there was form of no gentle on the finish of the tunnel."

(Photograph by John Dorton/ISI Images/USSF/Getty Pictures for USSF)

Robinson mentioned he utilized "plenty of totally different strategies" to get by this low level. He sought outdoors assist for rehab and totally different opinions on how he might change up what he was doing to get in higher bodily situation. He additionally acquired a sequence of injections to assist his harm heal. He mentioned Fulham was "actually good" at managing his load early within the season. He performed 9 video games for his membership in December and January earlier than taking a breath in February the place he sat out 4 video games – three of which he was on the bench and obtainable.

"After which clearly for myself, I attempt off the pitch to verify I’m doing as a lot as I can to be in the perfect bodily form," Robinson mentioned, noting that he will get within the gymnasium early earlier than apply to do every part he must do with a purpose to practice. "And within the night after I put the children to mattress, I’m doing extra stuff, coaching myself into fine condition.

"It’s been an extended street, however I’m feeling actually good. I felt good in coaching this week, and I’m joyful to be the place I'm now."

The USA wants Robinson wholesome, given the uncertainty alongside the again line. Heart backs Miles Robinson and Chris Richards each missed coaching on Friday. Robinson suffered what Pochettino referred to as a "minor" groin harm earlier this week in coaching, whereas Richards reported to camp with a knee situation. Each are being held out of at the very least Saturday’s sport vs. Belgium. In the meantime, proper again Sergino Dest was not referred to as up for this window after sustaining a hamstring harm in a membership match earlier this month.

"I’m actually excited to be again with the boys and that is form of my final alternative to play video games earlier than the summer time with the group and present that I can nonetheless contribute to the nationwide group and do nicely," Robinson mentioned. "So I’m hoping I get the possibility and provides every part and put myself in a great place."