Crew stars join their nations for the World Cup

State of play: We're nearly two weeks from the June 11 opening match of the men's World Cup, and players from across the globe are joining their national teams to prepare in outposts across North America.

• Most European leagues wrapped up their annual schedules last weekend, and MLS is paused until mid-July.

🇺🇸 Driving the news: The Crew's Max Arfsten was named to the 26-man U.S. squad officially unveiled in New York City on Tuesday.

💭 What they're saying: Arfsten called his trip to the World Cup "my ultimate dream come true" in a news release.

• "I think playing for your country is the pinnacle of a player's career, and I'm excited and motivated to keep going."

Stunning stat: Arfsten becomes the first Crew player to represent the U.S. at the World Cup since the legendary Brian McBride in 2002.

🇨🇻 Plus: The Crew's Steven Moreira, 2024 MLS Defender of the Year, will represent Cape Verde.

• He was born in Noisy-le-Grand, France, to parents who left the small West African nation when they were young.
• He views his national team affiliation as giving back to parents who "sacrificed everything" to start a new life in France.

🌎 Zoom out: Crew fans will see some other familiar faces at the tournament, too.

• Some countries' rosters are still pending, but expect to see former Columbus players like Sebastian Berhalter, Miloš Degenek, Derrick Etienne Jr., Eloy Room and maybe Jacen Russell-Rowe.
• All-time Crew fan favorite Cucho Hernández, who left for Spain in part to make this World Cup, finally received a call from Colombia.