16-year-old Kavan Sullivan of Bangladeshi descent in the US squad.

The United States is set to play friendly matches against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada during the FIFA international window. Coach Mauricio Pochettino has announced a 28-member squad for these upcoming fixtures, featuring 12 new faces. The biggest surprise is the inclusion of 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan, a footballer of Bangladeshi descent.

Cavan has been in excellent form during the current Major League Soccer (MLS) season, scoring six goals and providing eleven assists in 23 matches. His older brother, Quinn Sullivan, played three matches for the US national team last year but did not make the cut for this squad.

Including Cavan, there are six players aged 18 or younger in the US squad. Consequently, the team's average age stands at 22 years and 9 months—more than four years lower than the average age of the World Cup squad.

Following the squad announcement on Thursday, Pochettino said, "This marks a fresh start for everyone. We are excited to include highly promising young talents alongside experienced players for these matches."

He added, "It is crucial for them to understand our team culture, our work ethic, and, of course, our style of play. Above all, they must demonstrate the strong mentality and dedication required to represent the country in the way our fans expect."

Both Cavan and his 22-year-old brother, Quinn, play for the MLS club Philadelphia Union. However, two other members of the Sullivan family—Ronan and Declan—aspire to represent Bangladesh at the national level.

Ronan Sullivan caught the eye while playing for Bangladesh in the recent SAFF U-20 Football Championship. Thus, the Sullivan family's footballing ties now span both the United States and Bangladesh.

Their grandmother, Sultana Alam, is a Bangladeshi expatriate living in the US; she reportedly played a significant role during the Liberation War. Consequently, the news of 16-year-old Cavan receiving a call-up to the US national team has generated considerable interest among football fans in Bangladesh.