The United States men's national team will play Peru in an international friendly at Inter.co Stadium in Orlando, Florida on September 26. This match, scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff, marks the USMNT's return to the pitch for the first time since their historic run at the FIFA World Cup 2026 on home soil.
This fixture is the opening act of a four-match international window for the team under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. It also serves as part of the Fan Appreciation Match series. Fans can watch the action on TNT, truTV, HBO Max, Telemundo, Universo, and Peacock.
What is the history between the USMNT and Peru?
The United States holds a slight edge in the all-time series against Peru. In seven previous meetings, the USMNT has recorded three wins, two losses, and two draws. Their most recent encounter was a 1-1 draw in East Hartford, Connecticut on October 16, 2018. Josh Sargent opened the scoring for the Americans in that match.
One notable victory came on February 16, 2000, during the Concacaf Gold Cup group stage. Cobi Jones scored the only goal in a 1-0 win for the United States. The upcoming match provides a fresh chapter in this intermittent rivalry.
Who are the key figures for the Peru national team?
Peru is currently led by head coach Luiz Menezes, widely known as Mano Menezes. He was appointed to a four-year contract in January 2026. When asked about the upcoming match, Menezes said, "I'm not going to talk about my contract. I'm going to focus on the game."
The squad features significant experience. Midfielder Yoshimar Yotún is the most capped player with 134 appearances since 2011. He was a member of Peru's 2018 World Cup squad, which ended a 36-year absence from the tournament. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese has earned 127 caps and also played in that 2018 World Cup. Gallese helped Peru win a bronze medal at the 2015 Copa América.
How does this match fit into the USMNT's schedule?
This friendly against Peru is just the beginning of a busy period. The USMNT has three more fixtures scheduled during this international break. You can track the team's complete upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
The match offers Pochettino a chance to evaluate players and build cohesion ahead of future competitions. It is a key opportunity for players to make their case for regular inclusion. The full roster available for selection is listed on our squad page.
What is Peru's current form and ranking?
Peru enters the match ranked 50th in the latest FIFA Coca-Cola Men’s World Rankings. This represents an improvement, as they have climbed three places since the start of 2026. Their coach, Mano Menezes, will be looking to continue that positive trajectory.
For Orlando City SC fans, the match holds extra interest. Peruvian goalkeeper Pedro Gallese holds several club records for the MLS side, including most minutes played (18,188), saves (568), wins (89), and clean sheets (57). His familiarity with the stadium could be a minor factor. The United States will aim to start their post-World Cup chapter with a positive result against a determined Peruvian side. The team's next match after this international window is yet to be confirmed.
