USA vs Peru Prediction, Odds and Betting tips

USA vs Peru Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips

Competition: International Friendly · Date: 2026-09-26 · Kick-off: 16:30 ET · Round: International Friendly · Venue/location: Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando

The United States return on September 26 at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, with kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET, for their first match since the 2026 World Cup. Mauricio Pochettino has deliberately changed the profile of the squad rather than simply recalling the tournament group. U.S. Soccer says only 13 players from the World Cup squad were retained in the original 28-player selection, while 13 players entered this camp uncapped. The average age dropped to 22 years and nine months, more than four years younger than the World Cup roster.

The changes are substantial. Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Brenden Aaronson, Tim Ream, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Timothy Weah, Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally, Max Arfsten and Alejandro Zendejas are among the World Cup players not included in this window. The experienced core still contains Matt Freese, Chris Brady, Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Gio Reyna and Malik Tillman.

There has also been a late attacking change. Ricardo Pepi was named in the original September squad but withdrew after suffering an injury with PSV against FC Twente. Damion Downs was added on September 20. The current forward group is therefore Cole Campbell, Justin Ellis, Julian Hall, Cavan Sullivan and Downs. The broader squad also includes first-call-up players Mathis Albert, Zavier Gozo, Diego Kochen, Adri Mehmeti, Peyton Miller, Neil Pierre, Brooklyn Raines, Brian Schwake and Frankie Westfield.

Current USA call-up: Goalkeepers — Chris Brady, Matt Freese, Diego Kochen, Brian Schwake. Defenders — George Campbell, Sergiño Dest, Alex Freeman, Peyton Miller, Neil Pierre, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Auston Trusty, Frankie Westfield. Midfielders — Tyler Adams, Mathis Albert, Sebastian Berhalter, Zavier Gozo, Adri Mehmeti, Yunus Musah, Brooklyn Raines, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman. Forwards — Cole Campbell, Justin Ellis, Julian Hall, Cavan Sullivan, Damion Downs. Ricardo Pepi is out injured.

A probable USA XI is Matt Freese; Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Miles Robinson, Antonee Robinson; Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah; Malik Tillman, Gio Reyna, Cavan Sullivan; Damion Downs. The official team sheet has not yet been released. With so many uncapped players and four matches in the window, rotation is a real variable, especially in attack.

Peru did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, so there is no Peru World Cup roster to compare directly with this call-up. Mano Menezes has selected 26 players for matches against the USA, Mexico, Canada and Colombia. Gianluca Lapadula returns to the group, while Pedro Gallese, André Carrillo, Yoshimar Yotún, Oliver Sonne and Erick Noriega provide experience around a squad that also contains several Liga 1 players.

Current Peru call-up: Goalkeepers — Diego Romero, Matías Córdova, Pedro Gallese. Defenders — César Inga, Erick Noriega, Fabio Gruber, Marco Huamán, Marcos López, Matías Zegarra, Miguel Araujo, Oliver Sonne, Renzo Garcés. Midfielders — André Carrillo, Jairo Concha, Jairo Vélez, Jesús Pretell, Oslimg Mora, Rodrigo Vilca, Wilder Cartagena, Yoshimar Yotún. Forwards — Adrián Ugarriza, Alex Valera, Bascco Soyer, Gianluca Lapadula, Jhonny Vidales, Piero Magallanes.

A probable Peru XI is Pedro Gallese; Oliver Sonne, Miguel Araujo, Renzo Garcés, Marcos López; Erick Noriega, Wilder Cartagena; André Carrillo, Jairo Concha, Rodrigo Vilca; Gianluca Lapadula. It remains an expected lineup because Mano Menezes has four friendlies in a short period and can distribute minutes.

The tactical picture is different from the World Cup version of the USA. Pochettino still has an established defensive and midfield spine, but the attack is much less settled without Pulisic, Balogun and now Pepi. Peru also enter a rebuilding phase after missing the tournament. Home conditions and the deeper American pool support the USA side of the selection, while the two-goal threshold does not require an open shootout.

Statistical coverage is partial: a complete 22/22 Statistical Core with comparable current-cycle HOME data for USA and AWAY data for Peru, including xG, xGA, shots, shots on target, possession and corners, is unavailable in the cited material. Those metrics remain unavailable rather than being estimated.

Market price and value

Conclusion

Sources

- U.S. Soccer — September/October 2026 roster - U.S. Soccer — Damion Downs replaces injured Ricardo Pepi - U.S. Soccer — 2026 World Cup roster - Agencia Andina — Peru September/October 2026 call-up