Why is Christian Pulisic not playing vs Peru today? Injury status and reason for USMNT star's absence explained

Christian Pulisic is absent as USMNT face Peru, with Mauricio Pochettino leading the Americans into their first post-2026 World Cup friendly.

Updated on: Sep 27, 2026, 04:17:48 IST

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Christian Pulisic is not part of the USMNT squad for the friendly against Peru, leaving one of the team’s biggest names out of Mauricio Pochettino’s latest plans. The United States face Peru on Saturday as Pochettino begins shaping his squad for the next World Cup cycle.

Pulisic had only recently returned to action for AC Milan after recovering from a leg injury suffered during the USMNT’s 2026 World Cup defeat to Belgium.

His absence comes as Pochettino uses the September and October international window to assess several younger players and look at new options for the team.

Why is Christian Pulisic missing for USMNT vs Peru?

Pochettino did not give a specific reason for leaving Pulisic out. Instead, when asked about the players missing from his squad, he said the selected group were “the players that we want to see and the players that we want to work with”. That approach fits the wider plan for this camp, with the coach giving several younger players a chance after the 2026 World Cup.

Pulisic absence comes as USMNT starts new World Cup cycle

This is the first USMNT camp of the new cycle leading toward the 2030 World Cup. Pulisic is one of the most experienced players in the American squad, with 90 appearances and 33 goals for the national team, according to U.S. Soccer.

But this camp looks very different from the team that went to the 2026 World Cup. U.S. Soccer says the 28-player group includes 13 players who had not yet earned a senior cap. The average age of the squad is 22 years and nine months, showing how much Pochettino is using this window to look at younger options.

What comes next for Christian Pulisic and USMNT?

The Peru match is therefore about more than just one absence. Pochettino is using the opening games of the new cycle to see how younger players fit alongside established names. One of those new faces is 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan, who received his first senior call-up after impressing with Philadelphia Union.

Pulisic’s omission has also drawn attention because he is one of the most important players in the USMNT setup. Still, there is no official indication from Pochettino that the decision was disciplinary. The coach has pointed instead to the group he wants to work with as the team starts building toward 2030.

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