Christian Pulisic injury update: Is ‘Captain America’ playing for the USMNT against Türkiye?
Pulisic missed the United States’ win over Australia after being replaced at halftime in the opening game against Paraguay.
The USMNT has made a strong start to the 2026 World Cup on home soil, despite Christian Pulisic’s fitness concerns. However, “Captain America” is back in contention to play some part in Thursday’s final Group D game against Türkiye at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The likelihood of him starting, though, appears low.
Predict the future with our 2026 World Cup calculator!
Pulisic easing back into contention
Pulisic started the United States’ opening game of the tournament, the 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12, despite suffering a calf injury in training two days earlier. The AC Milan star was replaced at halftime after aggravating the issue and subsequently missed his country’s 2-0 victory against Australia on June 19, which sealed qualification for the round of 32.
But Pulisic has now declared himself ready to return against Türkiye, a relatively low-stakes clash considering the USMNT has already clinched top spot in Group D.
“I’m ready to play a part,” Pulisic told the media. “I’m feeling good. I joined the team the last couple of days and, yeah, I’m hoping to play a part on Thursday for sure.”
Likely bench role as USMNT look ahead
The 27-year-old’s comments suggest a cameo appearance from the bench is more likely than a start, particularly with his team not in desperate need of points. Still, getting Pulisic minutes should help ensure he is fully up to speed for more important games ahead.
Who will the USMNT play in the round of 32?
In the round of 32, the USMNT know they will play in Santa Clara on July 1, although they do not yet know their opponent.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team will face the country that finishes third in Group B, E, F, I or J, which could include Bosnia and Herzegovina, currently confirmed as third in Group B. The third-place teams in the other groups are not yet known.
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.