The last dress rehearsal is done. The U.S. U-17 men wrapped a two-week camp in Marbella, Spain, on Oct. 7. It was their final camp before head coach Alex Aldaz names his roster for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Aldaz brought 24 players, all born in 2009, from 18 clubs: nine in MLS and nine in Europe. They played three international friendlies, including a 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland on Sept. 30 (Cadigan scored in the 14th minute) and a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands on Oct. 6. They also faced Norway on Oct. 3.
Not losing to the Netherlands, one of Europe's strongest youth programs, is a good sign heading into a World Cup.
World Cup group stage (Aspire Zone, Al Rayyan)
Nov. 21: USA vs. Montenegro
Nov. 24: USA vs. Chile
Nov. 27: USA vs. Algeria
Aldaz has to trim this camp's 24 to the 21-man limit. Red Bull New York and Columbus Crew sent three players each. The European contingent includes AC Milan defender Astin Mbaye and PSV Eindhoven's Will Ostrander. One name not on this camp roster to keep in mind: Union striker Malik Jakupovic, who scored eight goals in three qualifying games in February.
