Ricardo Pepi recalls emotional World Cup selection moments with family
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 1, 2026, 6:55 PM
Last updated Jun 1, 2026
Ricardo Pepi, a forward for the U.S. national soccer team, reflects on his journey leading to World Cup selection. After previously being omitted from the squad in 2022, he received a call from current coach Mauricio Pochettino in a car with his father, who was moved to tears. Pepi, who has scored 13 goals in 36 international appearances, will compete for playing time against Folarin Balogun and Haji Wright in the upcoming tournament, starting with a match against Paraguay on June 12. His next preparation game is against Germany this Saturday.
- •Pepi was cut from the 2022 World Cup roster by then-coach Gregg Berhalter.
- •Current coach Mauricio Pochettino selected Pepi for the 2026 World Cup squad.
- •Pepi's father reacted emotionally upon hearing the news of his selection.
- •The U.S. national team plays Paraguay on June 12 in their World Cup opener.
- •Pepi aims to build on his goalscoring form ahead of the tournament.
- 6:55 PMYahoo Sports — Pepi hung up on US coach last time, now watched his dad's tears of joy after making World Cup team
"Ricardo Pepi thought back to how much had changed in four years. Pepi was a passenger in a car his father, Daniel, was driving in Dallas when current coach Mauricio Pochettino's WhatsApp video popped in with the message sent to this year's American 26. “I showed it to him and he immediately started just like crying a little bit," Pepi said.
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