Malik Tillman Answers 26 Questions

Twenty-six players were named to the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for FIFA World Cup 2026. To get to know them better, we asked every player a set of 26 rapid-fire questions to learn more about their personalities and their journeys that led them to this incredible moment on the sport’s biggest stage.

Here are 26 questions with midfielder Malik Tillman.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Go to the bathroom, brush my teeth and wash my face.

When you brush your teeth, what comes first: toothpaste or water?

Water.

What’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face first thing in the morning?

Music.

What are you listening to these days?

A Boogie.

When you're at home, do you prefer ordering out or cooking at home?

I sometimes order out, sometimes cook by myself. But I'm also looking for a chef right now.

What's your favorite meal of the day?

Dinner.

What’s your favorite thing to order in for dinner or favorite place?

Schnitzel.

What’s one thing outside of soccer that you enjoy doing with your family?

Spending time together, maybe playing some games.

Growing up in Germany with your family your whole life, what was that first camp in America like for you?

A crazy experience because everything is bigger in the in the U.S.

What’s one item in your home that you don't think you could live without?

My music box.

When you have a rare off day, what does a perfect day look like for you?

Sleep as long as possible, maybe meet some friends, play some games.

Would you say those things help you to mentally reset after a game?

Definitely.

What’s one superstition or ritual you have before every match?

Pray and put my stuff on with my left side first.

What made you start doing that?

I started when I was like 17, and I think I had a good game. Since then, I kept it going.

If you weren't a professional soccer player, what would you be doing right now?

That's a great question. When I was younger, I wanted to be a chef. So, maybe a chef.

Who is one person who assisted you on your journey to becoming a pro soccer player?

My family. My mom, my brother and my closest friends.

How is having a brother who plays professional soccer influenced your own career?

It’s amazing. He’s the older one, so he has a lot more experience than I do, and I can't do the same mistakes that he might’ve done.

What was the thing you were the most competitive about with your brother growing up?

Soccer and playing video games.

What would you say has changed the most about your approach to the game as you've gotten older?

Probably the thing about just having fun out there.

What’s one thing you'd say you want U.S. soccer fans to know about you?

Some people might say I play without emotions, but I keep my emotions on the inside rather than show them.

If your U.S. Men’s National Team teammates described you in three words, what would they say?

Probably quiet, still funny and big.

You’re quiet but you often crack a smile on the pitch. When you smile, do you prefer a soft smile or smile with teeth?

Smile with teeth.

What's your favorite city that you've traveled to for soccer?

Paris.

When this tournament is over, and you look back, what do you hope people say about the way you played and carried yourself?

That he gave 100 percent, fought for the team and represented this country very well.