Ricardo Pepi's World Cup redemption is underway: left off in 2022, now a leading striker for the USMNT under Mauricio Pochettino, his PSV form and scoring instincts make him a key option against Paraguay and beyond.
Redemption arc: From 2022 omission to World Cup roster
Ricardo Pepi went from the pain of being left off the 2022 World Cup squad to a pivotal attacking option for the United States in 2026. Omitted by Gregg Berhalter in 2022, Pepi used that setback as motivation, telling teammates he matured and improved his game. Now 23, he arrives at the tournament with 13 goals in 36 international appearances and a renewed sense of purpose under coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Club journey and recent form
Pepi's path has been rapid and rocky: FC Dallas academy to MLS debut in 2019, a move to Augsburg in Germany that yielded no goals in 16 appearances, a loan to Groningen, then a transfer to PSV Eindhoven. Despite a torn meniscus and a broken right arm in recent seasons, he scored 19 goals across 34 matches in his third season with PSV, including three in the Champions League. That resilience and clutch finishing underpin his candidacy for a starting role.
Where Pepi fits in Pochettino’s USMNT
Pochettino faces a genuine selection headache up front with Pepi, Folarin Balogun and Haji Wright all vying for minutes. Pepi offers a lethal blend of movement in tight spaces and a striker’s instinct to arrive on the ball — traits Pochettino highlighted when calling him “a player that has the capacity to read where is the space to the ball.” Christian Pulisic’s endorsement — that Pepi “absolutely deserves to be here” — underscores a locker-room belief in his readiness.
Style, strengths and tactical fit
Pepi’s strengths are clear: instinctive finishing, clever runs behind defenses and the ability to create chances from small pockets of space. Those traits suit a counter-attacking U.S. side that can exploit transitional moments. Concerns remain around his consistency at the highest club level and how prior injuries might influence game minutes, but his recent PSV output suggests form and fitness are trending positively.
Immediate tests: Germany warmup and Paraguay opener
Pepi heads into the final warmup against Germany with momentum. The Paraguay match on June 12 will be the real barometer for his World Cup impact. Pochettino could deploy him as a central finisher, a rotation threat to unsettle tired defenses, or as a link between midfield and more physical forwards. How Pochettino balances Pepi with Balogun and Wright will shape the U.S. attack’s potency early in the tournament.
What this means for the USMNT
Pepi’s inclusion signals a youthful, dynamic attacking plan that values movement and clinical finishing. If he maintains sharpness and integrates seamlessly with creators like Pulisic, the U.S. gains a forward who can change games in tight moments. His story also sends a broader message: setbacks can catalyze growth — and Pochettino appears prepared to reward players who have turned adversity into form.
Bottom line
Ricardo Pepi’s trajectory is one of resilience and evolution. From a painful World Cup snub to a central figure in the 2026 squad, he arrives as both a scoring threat and a tactical option.
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How Pochettino deploys him against Germany and Paraguay will determine whether Pepi’s redemption culminates in tournament-defining moments.
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