Preview for USA v Peru

The United States will begin a new international cycle on Saturday evening when they welcome Peru to Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando for a friendly.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side are playing for the first time since their disappointing 2026 World Cup exit, while Peru are also looking to rebuild after a 3-1 friendly defeat to eventual world champions Spain.

The United States’ World Cup campaign ended earlier than expected when they were beaten 4-1 by Belgium in the round of 16.

Despite that disappointment, Pochettino remains in charge after extending his contract for another four years, with the former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss now turning his attention towards the next World Cup cycle.

The Americans have lost three of their last four friendlies, including a 2-1 defeat to Germany in July, and will be hoping to start this international window with a more positive result.

They have also been strong at home, particularly at Inter&Co Stadium, where the USMNT have won all seven of their previous matches.

The Americans have not lost to Peru in their last three meetings, with their most recent victory coming in a 2-1 friendly win in Washington, DC in 2015.

Pochettino’s side will play four matches during the extended international window, with games against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada providing opportunities for a number of younger players.

Peru are also beginning a new chapter under Mano Menezes, although their early results under the Brazilian have been mixed.

La Bicolor have won just one of their four matches in 2026, beating Haiti 2-1, while they have scored only one first-half goal across those four games.

Peru have conceded eight times in that period, although they have avoided back-to-back defeats throughout the year.

They also came from behind to beat Haiti in June and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run against CONCACAF opposition to three matches.

The visitors have not beaten the United States on American soil since a 1-0 success in the 1997 US Cup, giving the hosts another favourable statistic ahead of Saturday’s meeting.

Team news for USA v Peru

Christian Pulisic has not been selected for the United States as he continues to build up his fitness, having been restricted during the World Cup.

Ricardo Pepi is also absent following a recent injury with PSV, while Folarin Balogun has been rested for this international window.

Cavan Sullivan is among the uncapped players included in the squad and could make his debut.

Peru will be without Fabio Gruber after the defender suffered an injury with Mainz, while Kenji Cabrera is recovering from foot surgery.

Pedro Gallese will return to Orlando, where he spent six seasons playing for Orlando City, while former Orlando City midfielder Wilder Cartagena remains based in Florida.

Expected line-ups for USA v Peru

USA: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Trusty; Dest, Musah, Adams, Tillman, A. Robinson; Sullivan, Hall.

Peru: Gallese; Lopez, Garces, Araujo, Sonne; Noriega, Cartagena, Carrillo; Vidales, Lapadula, Ugarriza

Recent form and stats

• The United States have won all seven of their previous matches at Inter&Co Stadium.
• The USA are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Peru.
• The Americans’ most recent win over Peru came in a 2-1 friendly in Washington, DC in 2015.
• Peru have won just one of their four internationals in 2026.
• Peru have scored only one first-half goal across their four matches under Mano Menezes.
• The USA have lost three of their last four friendlies.
• Peru have not beaten the United States on American soil since a 1-0 win in the 1997 US Cup.

How to watch USA v Peru: TV channel, online stream

USA v Peru will kick off at 9:30pm BST on Saturday, September 26 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando.

There is currently no confirmed UK television or streaming broadcaster for the match. The official US Soccer broadcast information confirms that the game will be shown in the United States on TNT, truTV and HBO Max, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo, Universo and Peacock.

Prediction

The United States have a relatively inexperienced squad for this international window, but home advantage and the opportunity to begin the next World Cup cycle on a positive note should give Pochettino’s side confidence.

Peru have struggled for consistency under Menezes and have had particular problems finding the net early in matches.

The visitors could make this competitive, but the USA should have enough quality to make their excellent record in Orlando count.

Prediction: USA 2-1 Peru