Captain Ream's Comeback
At 38, Tim Ream Achieves Second World Cup Appearance, Captaining U.S. Team
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Tim Ream is 38 years old. He once doubted he would ever play in a World Cup. Now he is the captain of the U.S. men's national team — and the oldest American ever to appear in a World Cup, at 38 years and 250 days, breaking a record set in 1994 FIFA Official Site.
At the 2026 World Cup, Ream has led the USMNT to its best group-stage start since 1930, winning its first two games and advancing to the knockout rounds U.S. Soccer Official Site. On July 1, the U.S. faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.
From Disney World Cancellation to Qatar Hero
Ream's World Cup story almost never happened. In 2022, he had been left out of the national team for 14 straight months starherald.com. When a surprise call-up came for the Qatar World Cup, he canceled a family trip to Disney World to answer it U.S. Soccer News. He then played all 360 minutes of the tournament — every single game, start to finish.
After Qatar, Ream left Fulham in August 2024 after nine years and signed with MLS club Charlotte FC for $1 million a year FBref. That move kept him sharp. It also put him in front of new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was looking for a steady hand to lead a young group U.S. Soccer News.
Pochettino's Choice: The Oldest Captain in U.S. World Cup History
In May 2026, Pochettino named Ream his captain for the World Cup. "I am so grateful he is with us," Pochettino said. "He has the experience and capacity to be the leader we want" U.S. Soccer News. Ream is now the eighth most-capped captain in U.S. history, with 26 matches wearing the armband U.S. Soccer Official Site.
Teammates lean on him hard. Gio Reyna said Ream provides a "sense of calmness" and is "definitely someone you can lean on" after 15 years with the program wiscnews.com. Striker Folarin Balogun said, "I look to learn from him. That's the reason why he's so valuable" trib.com. The youngest player on the roster, 21-year-old Alex Freeman, calls him "Unc" or "Grandpa" Washington Post.
Ice in His Veins: How Ream Performs at 38
Against Paraguay on June 12, Ream delivered 23 line-breaking passes — the most by any center-back in the tournament's first round OptaJoe. He completed 98% of his passes in his own half and 88% in the attacking half. He played all 90 minutes. USA Today's Nancy Armour wrote that Ream now represents the very resilience of the U.S. program USA Today.
Former coaches Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley both called Ream a "fantastic choice" for captain lacrossetribune.com. But critics, including analyst Alexi Lalas, have questioned whether a 38-year-old can keep up in a single-elimination game against elite speed tulsaworld.com. Some tactical analysts warn he can be exposed when asked to defend in a high-line system against fast wingers.
What Ream's Run Means for U.S. Soccer's Future
Advancing to the Round of 32 earns each USMNT player roughly $200,000 in prize money Morningstar Financial. More than money, Ream is the first MLS player to captain the U.S. at a World Cup since Clint Dempsey in 2014 — a major moment for the league's credibility Editorial Team Report.
Beyond this tournament, Ream's role matters for what comes next. His mentorship of players like Freeman and goalkeeper Chris Brady is seen as a bridge to the next generation U.S. Soccer News. His contract at Charlotte FC runs through December 2026 — just enough time to finish what he started.
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