Donovan Questions Pepi, Reyna Fitness Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Former USMNT star Landon Donovan has expressed concerns about the reliability of forwards Ricardo Pepi and Gio Reyna, citing their recent injury setbacks. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, coach Mauricio Pochettino will soon select a squad for the October international break.
Donovan, who faced criticism during his time at Bayern Munich, has questioned the players' ability to maintain fitness and availability for the national team. Reyna, in particular, has missed a significant number of games due to injuries, with 93 games lost to injury in his young career. Pepi has also struggled with a knee injury and has yet to fully recover.
Pochettino will have to consider these injury concerns when selecting his squad. Competition for places is fierce, with other strikers such as Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent, Haji Wright, and Patrick Agyemang also vying for spots. Pepi's goalscoring credentials may not be enough to secure his place if his fitness remains uncertain.
Donovan's frustration with Pepi and Reyna's injury records highlights the importance of reliability for international coaches preparing for major tournaments. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Pochettino will need to assess the players' fitness and availability when selecting his squad for the October international break.
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