The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) has announced a pair of high-profile international friendlies against Asian powerhouses South Korea and Japan in September 2025. These matches will serve as crucial preparation as the U.S. continues its build-up towards co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The September international window will see the USMNT face South Korea on September 6th at Sports Illustrated Stadium, home of the New York Red Bulls in Harrison, New Jersey. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM ET. Following this encounter, the team will travel to Columbus, Ohio, to take on Japan at Lower.com Field, the home of the Columbus Crew, on September 9th with a 7:30 PM ET kickoff.

These two matches represent a significant step in the USMNT's preparation, offering valuable tests against two nations with strong footballing pedigrees. South Korea currently leads their World Cup qualifying group and are on track to qualify for their eleventh consecutive World Cup. The historical record between the U.S. and South Korea stands at 2 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws, with their last meeting dating back to February 2014, where Chris Wondolowski's brace secured a 2-0 victory for the Americans.

Japan, meanwhile, has already secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup and boasts an impressive 12-match unbeaten streak stretching back to February 2024. The "Samurai Blue" have also reached the Round of 16 in the last two World Cups, highlighting their quality. The U.S. and Japan have only met three times previously, with Japan holding a slight edge with two wins to the USMNT's one. Their most recent encounter was a 2-0 friendly win for Japan in Germany as both nations prepared for the 2022 World Cup.

These September friendlies will be the first matches for the USMNT following the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which takes place this summer. With only a limited number of international windows remaining before the 2026 World Cup, these games against Korea and Japan will provide crucial opportunities for coach Mauricio Pochettino to assess his squad against high-level international competition and fine-tune his tactical approach.

The choice of venues in Harrison, New Jersey, and Columbus, Ohio, will also provide opportunities for fans in different parts of the country to support the national team as the excitement builds towards the World Cup on home soil. These matches promise to be compelling encounters, offering a glimpse into the USMNT's progress as they continue their journey towards 2026.