Exclusive: Former USMNT star Shaq Moore defends Alejandro Zendejas’ World Cup selection despite social media backlash

Several countries have rolled out the final squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. While fans were satisfied to see the squad revealed by USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino, they were surprised by the addition of the 28-year-old winger Alejandro Zendejas.

Despite his talent, negativity soon started spreading all over social media. With many internet users calling his World Cup spot undeserved, former USMNT star Shaq Moore, in an exclusive interview with ClutchPoints, defended the former FC Dallas player.

“I think every guy was justified. You know, obviously, everyone works hard to get there. It’s unfair for me to say that this guy doesn’t deserve it or that guy deserves it. Every player works hard in their own right to get to that point. It’s never easy. So you gotta give your hats off to all them.

“All of them do put the work in to get there. So all you can do is hope for the best. Obviously, there’s always gonna be decisions where people question guys, you know, deserve or don’t deserve to be there. But, having been there myself one time, you always wanna, you know, tip your hat off to all the players that are there. So congratulations to them and hope for the best for all of them,” he said.

Zendejas is an extremely talented player who has been playing for the Mexican club Club América since 2022. Born in Ciudad Juárez, a city in northern Mexico, he moved to the USA in his childhood, where he began his youth career at FC Dallas. Following a run with their youth team, he later got a promotion to FC Dallas’ senior team. Zendejas later moved on and played for a few more Mexican clubs before settling at Club América.

"Not everyone gets to play in a World Cup… it's a dream come true."

Alejandro Zendejas tells @Nicocantor1 how it feels to be named in the #USMNT World Cup squad pic.twitter.com/CZfjDKDjeB

— Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) May 26, 2026

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