USMNT 2026 September, October schedule, Match dates, opponents, kickoff times, venues

As the dust settles from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino has signed a new four-year contract to lead the USMNT through the 2030 cycle. U.S. Soccer has announced four international friendlies during a unique two-week break at the end of September and beginning of October 2026.

These matches will give Pochettino an early chance to continue building depth after the World Cup.

USMNT Schedule for September-October 2026 International Break

The United States will play four matches across the combined September and October window:

USA beat Peru 4-1

The United States Men's National Soccer Team opened the 2030 World Cup cycle under manager Mauricio Pochettino with a 4-1 victory over Peru on September 26, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. The match served as a massive showcase for the program's next generation, highlighted by 11 players making their senior international debuts, including 16-year-old prodigy Cavan Sullivan.

Nineteen-year-old debutant Justin Ellis opened the scoring just four minutes in before Peru's Gianluca Lapadula equalized shortly after. The Americans dominated the second half, securing the definitive win with a Malik Tillman penalty alongside late goals from teenage debutant Julian Hall and a long-range screamer from Sebastian Berhalter.

USA vs. Chile

Date: Tuesday, September 29

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

Energizer Park – St. Louis, Missouri

USA vs. Mexico

Date: Saturday, October 3

Time: 10:00 p.m. ET

State Farm Stadium – Glendale, Arizona

USA vs. Canada

Date: Tuesday, October 6

Time: 8:00 p.m. ET

Allianz Field – St. Paul, Minnesota

The double-header against Mexico and Canada renews the familiar rivalries with the other 2026 World Cup co-hosts.

Why Is the USMNT Playing Four Games in One Window?

FIFA combined the September and October international windows in 2026 to reduce the burden on domestic leagues after the World Cup. National teams will play four matches in one extended break before returning to club duty and not reconvening until mid-November.No European opponents were available because UEFA Nations League matches occupy the same window. Trans-Atlantic travel would also have been challenging across four games in a short period. As a result, the USMNT will face two CONMEBOL sides (Peru and Chile) plus CONCACAF rivals Mexico and Canada.

When Will the Next USMNT Roster Be Announced?

U.S. Soccer is expected to announce the roster one to two weeks before the first match. Because these are friendlies at the start of a new cycle, the squad is likely to feature a mix of fringe players and emerging young talent as Pochettino looks ahead to the 2030 World Cup, Nations League, and Gold Cup.Senior regulars such as Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie may be rested given the long European club seasons ahead.These four matches mark the official start of the USMNT’s 2030 cycle under Mauricio Pochettino.

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