United States Men's National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino is carefully evaluating his squad options for the upcoming FIFA World Cup this summer.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This iconic tournament, considered the peak of global football, is one that every player dreams of featuring in at least once in their career.
Among those pushing for a breakthrough is a young player whose competitive drive has been shaped by his athletic upbringing. A first call-up to the USMNT this summer would see him follow in the footsteps of his Olympian father by appearing in a major international competition.
That player is twenty-one-year-old American youth international Rokas Pukštas, who currently plies his trade in Croatia after relocating from Oklahoma to Eastern Europe at the age of 16.
The young midfielder is the son of two former Lithuanian athletes turned coaches. His father, Mindaugas Pukštas, competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics marathon, finishing 74th, while his mother, Zivile, enjoyed success as a triple jumper before joining the coaching staff at Oklahoma State University, where she has worked for more than two decades.
“I’m a competitor,” Pukštas told FourFourTwo. “I learned about competition early on. Nothing came easy—everything was earned. Both my parents excelled in their sports, and that taught me discipline and work ethic.”
He continued, “I remember wanting to beat my parents at something—maybe racing around the house—but they never let me win. That mindset helped me develop resilience. In football, one week you’re on top of the world, the next week you’re not. My ability to adapt comes from the mentality my parents instilled in me when I was younger.”
“My parents are strict and direct about discipline. That aligns perfectly with the attitude in Croatia—it’s straightforward and focused.”
Pukštas has been a standout performer for Hajduk Split this season. The historic Croatian club is in contention for its first league title in over two decades, battling perennial champions Dinamo Zagreb.
A dynamic box-to-box midfielder with exceptional stamina, Pukštas has tallied six goals and three assists this season as he looks to catch Pochettino’s attention ahead of the World Cup.
“We used to throw the football around, and my timing when jumping to catch passes helped my athleticism in football,” he said. “But football has always brought me the most joy.”
Pukštas revealed that his father, though a long-distance runner, is a devoted football enthusiast who “knows everything about every team in Europe” and coached him during his youth in Stillwater. His mother contributed by teaching him sprinting techniques, refining his speed and agility. He believes that the mental discipline of structured sports has given him a distinct advantage.
“The mental side of football is vital. I’ve seen players more talented than me struggle when it mattered most because they weren’t mentally ready. I wasn’t always the best technically or physically, but my mentality pushed me past expectations. I’m never satisfied, and that mindset is everything.”
Currently, Pukštas sits on the fringes of the senior USMNT setup. Having represented the United States from Under-15 through Under-23 levels, his progress has been steady—more of a marathon than a sprint—since moving to Croatia alone at 16.
“I became independent early, around 13, when I joined Sporting Kansas City’s academy,” he explained. “My parents knew moving to Split would be tough, but it would pay off in the long term. I’m grateful for that push and the sacrifices that led me to these opportunities.”
The U.S. midfield pool is stacked with top talent—Premier League players like Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson, Champions League regular Weston McKennie, and rising stars Tanner Tessmann, Gio Reyna, and Malik Tillmann—all competing in stronger leagues than Croatia’s top tier.
Yet, Pukštas holds a unique advantage: he has already been coached by a World Cup winner—Italy’s 2006 champion and former midfield powerhouse Gennaro Gattuso.
“I learned so much from him. He’s strict, disciplined, and commands respect. Watching how players reacted to him was inspiring. He reminded me of my parents—focused, demanding, and principled.”
When asked if he ever considered representing Lithuania, Pukštas was firm in his response. “It’s always been the United States. I feel American every time I wear that jersey. I’ve represented the U.S. from Under-15 to Under-23 levels, and my heart has always been with the USMNT.”
“Earning my first senior cap would mean everything. I’m preparing every day to perform for my club so that when the opportunity comes, I’m ready. Players like Christian Pulisic, Reyna, and Adams made the move to Europe early, just like me. We’ve all made similar sacrifices, and I hope to share that locker room with them soon.”
Before any national team call-up, however, Pukštas remains focused on Hajduk Split’s title pursuit. Last season, the club led the league for much of the campaign but ultimately finished third, two points behind champions HNK Rijeka.
“It would mean everything to win the title. The fans have waited 20 years. As a team, we’re keeping our focus—taking it one match at a time and staying composed. We have a real chance this year.”
Off the pitch, Pukštas stays grounded, spending his free time playing chess, table tennis, or shooting basketballs with friends in Split. With 2024 shaping up to be a defining year in his career, competition clearly remains at the heart of his journey.
Days after his interview with FourFourTwo, Pukštas showcased his relentless spirit in Hajduk’s clash against NK Varazdin. Over 90 minutes, he engaged in 24 duels, winning 17—including nine of ten aerial challenges—a true example of practice matching philosophy.
