Why isn’t Christian Pulisic playing for the USMNT against Australia in the World Cup?
Captain America’s fitness has been a huge talking point in the days leading up to the game.
The United States have been handed a major injury blow leading up to their second group stage game against Australia. Talisman Christian Pulisic has been ruled out for the game, owing to a calf injury picked up in last week’s win over Paraguay.
Pulisic had been a doubt since that World Cup opener but had seemed to make good progress in team practice this week. He returned to the field on Thursday and seemed to be moving well, but the Australia game will come too soon for the AC Milan man.
Speaking ahead of kickoff in Seattle, US head coach Mauricio Pochettino explained that Pulisic would not feature...
EXCLUSIVE: USA star Christian Pulisic is OUT today with a calf injury against Australia and Ricardo Pepi will get the start, USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino tells FOX Sports’ @JennyTaft. pic.twitter.com/ZobSiOfjYx
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 19, 2026
Day of reckoning for the USMNT
What’s moving quicker? The beads of sweat going drip-drip-drip from the brows of fans, or the tick-tock of the clock counting down to kick-off against Australia?
I think it’s the sweat. The nerves going into the USMNT’s second game would always have been high given the fact we’re in the middle of a World Cup, but the solid performance from both sides in the previous round of fixtures has only added to the pressure. This is a game for first place: win and you have control; lose and you’re throwing yourself into the abyss, letting the Big Man sort things out for you.
They will be without Pulisic for this crucial game, with the chance to confirm a place in the knockout rounds, But Pochettino was optimistic about Pulisic’s progress.
Mauricio Pochettino said earlier this week: “He’s evolving,” he said, not specifying into what. “He’s much better from Friday. We’ll see. I think at the moment, if we see he’s not available for tomorrow, he will be available for the next game.
“I think he’s doing a massive effort trying to be ready," Pochettino added. “I think for every single player that love their country it’s an amazing opportunity to know, to enjoy and to help the team to perform and to win games. When this type of thing happens, always is painful, but I think Christian is strong and with great mentality and is doing a fantastic effort to try to be ready as soon as possible.”
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