Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group D – United States v Paraguay – Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California, U.S. – June 12, 2026 Christian Pulisic of the U.S. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Kiyoshi Mio
United States men’s national team (USMNT) star Christian Pulisic remains day-to-day ahead of Friday’s second Group D match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Australia.
Pulisic, who starred for AC Milan last season and is the face of American soccer, was subbed off at halftime of their World Cup-opening 4-1 beatdown of Paraguay in Los Angeles.
After the match, the 27-year-old said he was kicked in the back of the left calf and did not believe it was anything serious, but he has not been a full participant in practice since, further raising questions about his availability.
“We’ve still got a couple of days to see where he’s at,” defender Antonee Robinson said. “Thankfully, we’ve got a lot of boys on the bench who are eager and ready to get involved and help the team, a lot of quality. It’s a long tournament. If we don’t have him back for the game, we’re gonna make sure we have him back the rest of the way because we’re gonna need him.”
Pulisic was directly involved in the first two American goals in the first half against Paraguay. He split two defenders down the left wing and played the ball into Weston McKennie, whose cross was redirected into the back of the net by Paraguayan defender Damian Bobadilla.
He then provided the primary assist on Folarin Balogun’s first of two goals in the 31st minute.
“I think he’s doing well,” forward Tim Weah said. “I think he just got a bit of a knock. But for me, I think things look positive. Just praying to God that he’s 100% for [Friday].”
The Americans will face an Australian side that surprised many in its opening match at the World Cup, disposing of Turkiye 2-0 behind goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe.
“They’re a team that fights hard, and they deserved to win that game,” midfielder Sebastian Berhalter said. “It’s going to be a tough game, and you see the way they defend. They defend as a team. That’s always a hard team to play against.”
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