The USMNT is about to unveil its first post-World Cup roster, as Mauricio Pochettino takes the first steps toward the 2030 tournament. And while we don't know the full roster yet, news has leaked that U.S. star Christian Pulisic will not be part of that team, and it is reportedly because of a “strained” relationship with his manager that goes back to the Summer of 2025.

“Christian Pulisic won’t be on the United States men’s soccer team’s first roster of the 2030 World Cup cycle, multiple sources told me on Wednesday,” Doug McIntyre reports for FOX Soccer. “[Pulisic] has had a strained relationship with Pochettino since skipping the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, which the U.S. narrowly lost to rival Mexico.”

Pulisic was injured in the 2026 World Cup, but that does not seem like the reason that Poch is leaving him off the next USMNT roster. The Hershey, Pennsylvania native is now fully healthy and back playing for his club, AC Milan, in Italy. However, a star player not making the first post-World Cup team is generally pretty par for the course.

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With almost four full years before the Spain/Portugal/Morocco World Cup kicks off, the next few international breaks will be all about getting looks at youngsters who may be in contention for that 2030 roster. That is why it is also notable that two teenage MLS players, 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan and 17-year-old Adri Mehmeti, were the other names that were leaked for being on this roster.

Pochettino and his next USMNT squad will play four friendlies at the end of September and early October against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada.

As for the Poch-Pulisic situation, while it's not a massive issue right now, it is worth watching as this World Cup cycle continues on and the squad starts playing in qualifying matches or minor tournaments.