San Diego FC Deletes 2026 MLS Roster Post After Hirving “Chucky” Lozano’s Absence Sparks Transfer Speculation

San Diego FC unveiled its official squad for the 2026 Major League Soccer season, but the absence of Mexican forward Hirving “Chucky” Lozano quickly became the main talking point among fans and media. Despite still being under contract with the club, Lozano’s name did not appear on the roster shared across the team’s social media platforms.

Only hours after publishing the announcement, the Southern California club deleted the post from all digital channels without issuing an official explanation. The sudden removal fueled speculation surrounding the future of the Mexican international and raised further questions about his status within the franchise.

Back in November 2025, head coach Mikey Varas had publicly confirmed Lozano’s continuity with the team. The winger himself expressed his desire to remain in San Diego and compete for a place in Mexico’s national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However, the situation shifted dramatically on January 9, when sporting director Tyler Heaps stated that Lozano was no longer part of the club’s plans for the upcoming season. Since then, the club’s stance has appeared clear: San Diego FC does not see the Mexican star as part of its second MLS campaign.

Lozano was also left off the team’s roster for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, further reinforcing the growing sporting separation between player and club.

Sources close to the player maintain that Lozano prefers to remain in San Diego while awaiting a solution, whether through a loan move or a permanent transfer. Negotiations, however, remain complicated due to the high financial investment involved.

San Diego FC paid more than $12 million to PSV Eindhoven in 2024 to sign Lozano as the club’s first Designated Player. While rumors of interest from Liga MX teams continue to circulate, the final outcome will likely depend on the club’s decision during the closing days of the transfer window.