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Two months after the U.S. men's national team bowed out of the World Cup in the round of 16, the Stars and Stripes are returning to the pitch during the September-October international window.
Having recently signed a contract extension running through the 2030 World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino has named a 28-man roster for the USMNT's four friendlies this autumn. Established players such as Tyler Adams and Chris Richards are joined by 12 newcomers, with 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan leading the way.
Notable absentees include Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, and Weston McKennie. Ricardo Pepi was also forced to pull out of the squad through injury.
This blend of experience and youth gives Pochettino a valuable opportunity to assess the talent at his disposal over the next four years. The USMNT's upcoming opponents will serve as an ideal gauge to determine which players are ready for the spotlight and which ones still need more development time before cementing their place in the side.
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USMNT Schedule for 2026 Fall Friendlies
Opponent | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
Peru | Sept. 26 | Inter.co Stadium—Orlando |
Chile | Sept. 29 | Energizer Park—St. Louis |
Mexico | Oct. 3 | State Farm Stadium—Glendale, AZ |
Canada | Oct. 6 | Allianz Field—Saint Paul, MN |
A Closer Look at USMNT's Upcoming Opponents
Peru
The USMNT opens its fall schedule against Peru. Pochettino's side will be eager to bounce back after a humiliating 4–1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16.
Peru represents a favorable opponent to ease back into competitive action, particularly with home support behind them. The South Americans failed to qualify for the World Cup and have managed just two wins in their last 16 games stretching back to 2024.
The last time these two sides met, the USMNT could only salvage a 1–1 draw back in 2018. Eight years on, the Americans will be looking to make a stronger statement and put that result firmly behind them.
Chile
Just three days later, the Stars and Stripes travel to St. Louis to face Chile, another nation that missed out on the 2026 World Cup.
Chile present a considerably greater challenge than Peru, however. While the team may be a long way from its back-to-back Copa América glory days, it boasts a promising young core with ambitions of restoring the country to the top of South American football. La Roja have won five of their last seven games, with their only defeats coming against Portugal and New Zealand during that stretch.
History also works in Chile's favor. They are unbeaten in their last three meetings with the USMNT, with the most recent encounter finishing 1–1 in 2019.
Depending on how Pochettino manages his rotation, the USMNT could face a stiffer test than many are anticipating.
Mexico
On the subject of tough tests, Mexico is next up for the USMNT. The rivalry between the two nations remains as fierce as ever following the World Cup, where El Tri performed impressively enough to climb to 10th in FIFA's world rankings.
Mexico look as dangerous as ever—just ask England. The reigning Gold Cup champions have also defeated the USMNT twice since Pochettino took the helm.
The Argentine is well aware of what it feels like to come out on the wrong end of this storied rivalry and will be determined to finally get the better of Mexico this October. The silver lining is that the Americans will be hosting the fixture, taking El Tri away from the iconic Azteca.
• NEXT: The Curious Case of Christian Pulisic: From American Phenom to USMNT Outcast
Canada
The Stars and Stripes wrap up the extended international break against Canada, yet another side Pochettino has been unable to overcome. The Reds have claimed back-to-back 2–1 wins in their last two encounters with the USMNT, giving Jesse Marsch and his squad a significant confidence boost.
Both nations were knocked out in the round of 16 this summer, though the circumstances were quite different. Canada won just two of their five matches at the 2026 World Cup, and one of those victories came against a Qatar side reduced to nine men.
Past records will count for little come October, however, when these two Concacaf rivals meet in what promises to be a hard-fought and closely contested affair.