Pulisic omitted as 16‑year‑old Sullivan joins USMNT youth surge

Christian Pulisic was forced off in the second half of the United States’ 4‑1 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16 in Seattle on Monday, July 6, 2026, and he has now been omitted from the 28‑man squad for the upcoming friendlies, while 16‑year‑old forward Cavan Sullivan has secured a place among 13 uncapped players. (Abbie Parr/AP) NEW YORK —

Pochettino’s new‑cycle philosophy

Mauricio Pochettino announced the roster on Thursday, describing it as “a completely different approach than it was in the past”. He added that the focus is on the next World Cup in four years rather than on past performances. “It’s not a point that now the first camp of this new cycle I start to explain why it’s one, why it is not another,” he said.

Youth‑heavy squad composition

Sullivan made his Major League Soccer debut at 14 in July 2024 and has already scored six league goals this season for the Philadelphia Union. He has a pre‑agreement to join Manchester City when he turns 18, and Pochettino praised him as “special because he’s 16 years old playing at this level in MLS”.

Other uncapped players include 17‑year‑old midfielders Adri Mehmeti and Mathis Albert, 18‑year‑old defenders Peyton Miller and Neil Pierre, 18‑year‑old forward Julian Hall, 19‑year‑old midfielder Zavier Gozo, 19‑year‑old forward Justin Ellis, 20‑year‑old goalkeeper Diego Kochen, 20‑year‑old right back Frankie Westfield, and 20‑year‑old midfielders Cole Campbell and Brooklyn Raines. The average age of the uncapped group is 19 years and six months.

Returning veterans and omissions

Thirteen players return from the 26‑man World Cup roster, including goalkeeper Matt Freese, defenders Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson and Auston Trusty, midfielders Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman, and forward Ricardo Pepi.

Key exclusions are Christian Pulisic, who is still recovering from the microfracture injury that forced his substitution against Belgium, and Folarin Balogun, who missed the tournament after a failed move to Everton and a minor leg injury. Other World Cup regulars left out are Matt Turner, Max Arfsten, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Joe Scally, Weston McKennie, Cristian Roldan, Brenden Aaronson, Tim Weah, Haji Wright and Alejandro Zendejas.

The friendlies are scheduled against Peru on September 26 in Orlando, Florida; Chile on September 29 in St Louis; Mexico on October 3 in Glendale, Arizona; and Canada on October 6 in St Paul, Minnesota. All times are U.S. Eastern.

Overall, twelve of the twenty‑eight squad members ply their trade in Major League Soccer, and two players – 22‑year‑old goalkeeper Chris Brady and 25‑year‑old defender George Campbell – have only one previous international appearance.