Christian Pulisic is expected to miss the United States men’s national team’s initial World Cup‑cycle roster, sources tell Doug McIntyre of FOX Sports.
U.S. Soccer will unveil Mauricio Pochettino’s lineup on Thursday ahead of friendlies versus Chile, Peru, Canada and Mexico, so no official word yet.
Skipping Pulisic is bold, especially after he healed the two fractured bones in his right leg from the USA’s 4‑1 round‑of‑16 defeat to Belgium at the World Cup.
Back at full health, he’s yet to win a start at AC Milan, entering as a substitute in each of Ruben Amorim’s first four games.
A reported strain between Pulisic and Pochettino may factor in. McIntyre says their friction dates to Pulisic skipping the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup—a narrow loss to Mexico—to stay fresh for the World Cup, only to get injured in the opener and finish goalless in four matches.
Pulisic joins Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robert Lewandowski in elite European Cup history after extending his remarkable streak.
That dispute, plus his bench role at Milan, might explain Pochettino’s choice, though the coach hasn’t confirmed motives. For my money, benching a talent like Pulisic marks a daring overhaul.
Pochettino appears to be banking on a wave of youthful talent. Will this youth surge propel the USMNT to new heights?
Instead, Pochettino is eyeing 16‑year‑old Cavan Sullivan, who could become the youngest player in the 113‑year history of the U.S. men’s team since Freddy Adu set the mark in 2006.
The Philadelphia Union midfielder is sizzling, tallying five goals and six assists in his last seven MLS matches, part of a breakout season that also features 6 goals and 11 assists in 23 games as the Union ride a 10‑match unbeaten run.
Sullivan isn’t the sole teen on the list; 17‑year‑old Red Bull New York midfielder Adri Mehmeti is also tipped for his first senior call‑up, while Yunus Musah is slated to return after last appearing in March 2025.
The USA opens the window versus Peru on September 26 in Orlando, then meets Chile on September 29 in St. Louis, and wraps the FIFA‑expanded schedule against Mexico and Canada in early October.