Pulisic Faces Challenges in 2026 World Cup Amid Injury and Team Dynamics

Christian Pulisic, a key player for the United States men’s national soccer team, has had a challenging 2026 FIFA World Cup. He sustained a calf injury during training that worsened in the team’s opening match against Paraguay on June 12. This setback caused him to miss the match against Australia on June 19, although he has since rejoined the lineup. Despite his return, Pulisic struggles to regain his full form.

His performance drew criticism during the U.S.’s 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. Gregg Berhalter, former USMNT head coach and current Chicago Fire head coach, identified a tactical issue rather than an individual shortcoming. On FanDuel’s “Coaches Corner” on July 2, Berhalter explained, “Stay wide, get the ball, take the opponent on, and have players running from there. I don’t think we did that enough. I don’t think there was enough intention to get Christian the ball in those positions to really set him loose.”

Prior to the World Cup, Pulisic faced scrutiny for not scoring for AC Milan or the USMNT during the first half of 2026. He addressed this pressure on June 4 in an interview with Newsweek, stating, “It’s just keeping up my routine. For me, having my support system around is what helps me the most. It allows me to honestly take my mind off the game. That’s the easiest thing for me — talking to my best friends and family. Sometimes, allowing myself to be a bit distracted because when I overthink it, that’s when things get worse.”

The USMNT will need Pulisic at his best as they prepare to face Belgium in the Round of 16 in Seattle on July 6. Their leading scorer, Folarin Balogun, received a red card in the match against Bosnia, making him ineligible for the upcoming game. If the U.S. defeats Belgium, they will reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. The team has not progressed past this stage since the tournament’s inaugural event in 1930. While Pulisic did not choose the “Captain America” nickname, he faces a crucial moment to demonstrate his leadership.