Christian Pulisic out for USMNT against Australia with calf injury
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Christian Pulisic tried to make it in time for the United States Men’s National Team’s second World Cup match, but one week wasn’t enough.
The USA, who injured his calf in the World Cup opener and barely trained all week, will not be able to field its superstar against Australia.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino announced the news on FOX Sports’ pre-match show.
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USMNT star Christian Pulisic was subbed off in the second half of the team’s World Cup opener against Paraguay. (Gary Vasquez-Imagn Images)
Pulisic, who made an assist in the Paraguay win, suffered a calf injury after the first half last week, which caused him to leave the game.
Pochettino was repeatedly asked about Pulisic’s situation on Friday and remained mostly silent – clearly and understandably.
On Thursday, Pochettino said his star player was “much better” than when he was injured and would be ready for at least the final group stage match against Türkiye next week.
Pochettino said staff and Pulisic would meet on Thursday night; Apparently, if this meeting took place, it would not be very promising.
Pochettino added that Pulisic “made a great effort to be ready” and that he understood that the US star wanted to be on the field with his other teammates.
US forward Christian Pulisic controls the ball past Paraguayan midfielder Andrés Cubas during the first half of the 2026 FIFA World Cup match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
During the team’s practice on Thursday, Pulisic did most of the things he’s been seen doing all week; He performed a modified training session and did not join the rest of the team in the media section.
Sebastian Berhalter replaced Pulisic in the opener at halftime, while starting midfielder Malik Tillman further improved his already impressive play in Pulisic’s absence.
While Australia defeated Türkiye in its first match of the World Cup, this match between the two teams will determine who will come first in Group D.
With this victory, the United States would win back-to-back games in the tournament for the first time since the first World Cup and secure a spot in the knockout round.
American forward Christian Pulisic (10) reacted to Panama in the second half of the Concacaf Nations League semi-final match played at SoFi Stadium. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)
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However, with Pulisic out, the mountain to climb has become a little higher.
Scott Thompson of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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