Former national team star Alexi Lalas cast doubt on Ricardo Pepi’s chances of making the 2026 World Cup roster after the striker’s knee injury with PSV, noting that USMNT roster spots will only be more competitive – leaving injured players especially at risk of losing out as the tournament gets closer to kicking off.

Getty Images SportInjury timing threatens Pepi's standing

Lalas addressed the implications of Pepi's injury absence ahead of the October friendlies against Ecuador and Australia. The 22-year-old striker had returned from a long-term knee injury, but has been ruled out for the U.S.'s upcoming October friendlies with another injury.

“If you're hurt, you're hurt,” Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast. “There's nothing you can do about it, but it does. It's not a good situation. You're not Erling Haaland, right? You're not going to come no matter what, as long as you're okay by the time the World Cup shows up! There is a competition and an ongoing competition. "

Pepi has 13 goals in 33 international caps for the Americans.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesRoster competition intensifies

Lalas pointed to the delayed announcement of the October camp roster as evidence of the heightened competition for national team positions – including Pepi's striker position. It was expected that the roster would be released earlier in the week, but instead came out Thursday.

He also pointed to Sergino Dest's recent injury as another example of how setbacks affect position battles. 

“I do think that the importance of this window is I think it was reflected in the fact that this was pushed back,” Lalas said. "And so when it comes to Pepe or Dest, yeah, they'll say, well, they're injured here and injured here. But you start gobbling up those windows, and you're not involved. You may be the odd man out either for the roster or for a starting position going forward because you just won't have enough time to really prove your worth, with the competition going on.”

Calendar constraints

The timing of Pepi's return will prove particularly crucial with the November international window approaching. When he's healthy, he's a man largely in form. He's scored two goals in five appearances this season, and in the last campaign, he netted 11 goals in 18 appearances. 

AFPBig matches ahead

The U.S. will hope to navigate past the absences of Pepi and Dest when they face Ecuador and Australia on Oct. 10 and Oct. 14, respectively.