ATLANTA — The camp opened on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at the U.S. training center outside Atlanta. Thirteen players from the 2026 World Cup squad were retained, while 12 players making their first appearance with the senior team were called up. The average age of the 28 players is 22 years and 9 months, with eight teenagers included on the roster.

Weah was also excluded from the roster after being red-carded in Marseille's loss to Paris Saint-Germain. Folarin Balogun and Weston McKennie were not selected either, though McKennie played 86 minutes for Juventus in a recent match. Balogun played 14 minutes off the bench for Monaco in a match on Friday, September 18, 2026.

Damion Downs replaced injured forward Ricardo Pepi on the roster. Pepi suffered an injury while playing for PSV on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Retained veterans include Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Sergiño Dest and Yunus Musah.

Pochettino addressed the roster changes at a press conference. "After the World Cup, we start to change and to see and to analyze all the players," he said. "It’s a completely different approach than in the past."

The coach emphasized the long-term timeline for the next tournament cycle. "The World Cup is in four years. We need to work with different objectives and goals," Pochettino said.

Sports analyst Alexi Lalas commented on the shifting excitement around the team. "You can make a case that, in this window, even if Christian Pulisic had been involved, there are more poeple excited about seeing Cavan Sullivan than Christian Pulisic," Lalas said. "America is looking for young talent and new look when it comes to the national team and that's why there's so much tension with Cavan Sullivan as he comes into this new camp, and he comes in on fire."

Lalas noted the performance of established players. "You've got to be a little happy — and dare I say, proud — of seeing Christian Pulisic, given what's happened over this past year and even what's happened recently, starting and not just making an impact, but being voted the best player, being involved in both goals and being associated with a moment of positivity that Christian Pulisic and AC Milan needed," he said. The U.S. men's national team will play friendlies against Mexico and Canada during the first week of October 2026 following the September matches.

Why It Matters

The exclusion of high-profile veterans like Pulisic and Weah signals a strategic pivot by Pochettino toward youth development ahead of the next World Cup cycle. With an average age of 22 years and 9 months, the roster reflects a deliberate effort to integrate new talent, including eight teenagers and 12 uncapped players. This shift occurs as the program moves past its round of 16 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where it lost to Belgium.

The inclusion of Cavan Sullivan, who is under contract to join Manchester City in 2027, shows the intersection of domestic development and international ambition. The tension between retaining established stars and providing opportunities for emerging players defines the current phase of the national team. The upcoming friendlies against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada will serve as initial tests for this new configuration.

Timeline

Cavan Sullivan signed a homegrown player contract with the Philadelphia Union on May 9, 2024, at age 14, making him the fifth youngest player to sign a first-team MLS contract. The deal includes a clause allowing his transfer to Manchester City upon turning 18 in 2027. The U.S. men's national team lost to Belgium in the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Christian Pulisic sustained a microfracture in his right tibia and fibula during the U.S. men's national team's 4-1 World Cup loss to Belgium on July 6, 2026, which limited his starts for AC Milan in the 2026-27 season. Mauricio Pochettino signed a new four-year contract with U.S. Soccer in August 2026. Christian Pulisic was not selected for the U.S. men's national team September 2026 training camp. Thirteen players from the 2026 World Cup squad were selected for the September 2026 U.S. men's national team training camp. Twelve players making their first appearance with the senior U.S. men's national team were selected for the September 2026 training camp.

What's New

Additional details noted that Christian Pulisic has 90 caps and 33 goals for the U.S. men's national team, ranking fifth on the all-time scoring list, but has been a substitute in both of his 2026-27 Serie A appearances for AC Milan. Mauricio Pochettino stated, "After the World Cup, it’s always about new players arriving, new players start to play." He also said, "It’s an opportunity to bring new players; players we like, with potential." Pochettino remarked, "He’s only 16. He’s a kid. He is special." The coach also said, "After the World Cup, we start to change and to see and to analyze all the players." He added, "We need the players to show the good examples. To show how to behave."

How Sources Differ

Regarding the national team, U.S. Soccer roster announcement, September 2026, reported that Cavan Sullivan was selected for the U.S. men's national team September 2026 training camp. U.S. Soccer roster data, September 2026, reported that the average age of the 28 players in the September 2026 U.S. men's national team training camp is 22 years and 9 months. Regarding the national team, U.S. Soccer roster announcement, September 2026, reported that the U.S. men's national team roster for the September 2026 training camp includes 28 players. Pochettino replaces injured Pepi with Downs on USMNT roster reported that Damion Downs replaced injured forward Ricardo Pepi on the U.S. men's national team September 2026 training camp roster.