Sergiño Dest
Dutch-born USMNT right back at PSV Eindhoven, racing to recover from a hamstring injury before the 2026 World Cup.
Last refreshed: 10 April 2026
Will Dest be fit enough to start the USA's World Cup opener against Paraguay?
Timeline for Sergiño Dest
Mentioned in: Pochettino names 27 for last Cup window
2026 FIFA World Cup- Is Sergiño Dest fit for the 2026 World Cup?
- Dest suffered a left hamstring injury on 7 March 2026 playing for PSV Eindhoven. He faces a tight race to recover before the USMNT's opener against Paraguay on 11 June 2026. He said the injury was "NOT the end of the season" and pledged to return as quickly as possible.Source: ESPN
- Why did Sergiño Dest choose to play for USA and not the Netherlands?
- Born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and American father, Dest was eligible for both nations. He represented the US youth teams and committed to the USMNT at senior level, earning 37 caps.Source: US Soccer
- How much did Barcelona pay for Sergiño Dest?
- Barcelona signed Dest from Ajax in October 2020 for an initial €21 million fee, with up to €5 million in variables.Source: Transfermarkt
- Who plays right back for the USA if Dest is injured?
- USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino has wing-back depth in his squad but Dest is considered the first choice in that role. The final 26-man roster decision will be made once his fitness is assessed closer to the tournament.Source: ESPN
Background
Sergiño Dest suffered a left hamstring injury in the 57th minute of PSV Eindhoven's Eredivisie match against AZ Alkmaar on 7 March 2026, leaving the field unable to bear weight and sparking immediate concern about his availability for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Dest had become USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino's first-choice attacking outlet from the right side, described as the squad's "ultimate attacking wildcard". His absence from the Belgium and Portugal March friendlies meant the pre-tournament roster assessment proceeded without him.
Dest was born on 3 November 2000 in Almere, the Netherlands, to a Dutch mother and American father, and chose to represent the United States at senior level after representing US youth teams. He developed through the Ajax academy, making his Eredivisie debut in August 2019, and transferred to FC Barcelona in October 2020 for an initial €21 million. After a mixed spell in Spain he joined PSV Eindhoven on loan in August 2023, making the move permanent in June 2024 on a free transfer. He has earned 37 senior caps for the United States.
Dest's return is projected between 23 April and 2 May, targeting the PSV-Ajax Eredivisie fixture as his comeback game. If he recovers on schedule, he remains viable for Pochettino's 26 May squad announcement. The USMNT's World Cup opener against Paraguay is on 11 June 2026. Hamstring injuries carry a high risk of recurrence, and the compressed timeline leaves Dest minimal preparation. Dest posted on Instagram that the injury was "NOT the end of the season", and the question for Pochettino remains whether to include him as a fitness gamble or carry a fully fit alternative at right back.