U.S. soccer's Christian Pulisic ruled out for World Cup match vs. Australia
Christian Pulisic, the United States' star forward, was ruled out of the USMNT's World Cup game against Australia Friday, coach Mauricio Pochettino told FOX Sports, confirming fears the 27-year-old winger will miss the team's second group stage game because of a lingering left calf injury.
Ricardo Pepi, the 23-year-old forward, was named to the USMNT starting lineup in Pulisic's place.
Christian is not available, Pochettino said. "The evolution was really well. Today was training in the morning in the training camp, and I think the feelings were good. Let's hope that as soon as possible, he can be ready to be selected again and be part of the team. Now we need to be focused in our team and the players that are going to play. We have ahead a very important game. Australia is going to be very tough.
"But of course, it's a little bit sad. He wanted to stay. He wanted to participate today, but it's still it's still so, so early."
Pulisic, who has scored 33 goals in 87 appearances for the United States, exited the team's 4-1 victory against Paraguay on June 12 at halftime, and later told reporters he was kicked in the calf during the game, but didn't think it was anything serious.
"Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I'm hoping I'll be fine the next few days," he told reporters after the game.
That precaution continued throughout the week. Pulisic never returned to full team training, spending all of the USMNT's practices doing individual work. Pochettino said the Hershey, Penn., native has put in "massive effort" to be available against Australia, and added Pulisic will almost certainly be available for the Americans' final group-stage game.
Speaking to reporters during a media availability on Monday, midfielder Tyler Adams said he expected Pulisic to be ready for Friday and told fans and reporters to relax about the winger's status. But wingback Sergiño Dest was more careful with his words on Friday, simply stating it's Pochettino's decision who plays against Australia and that the team has full confidence in whoever starts.
"Christian is a really important player for us. He can be really dangerous," Dest said. "We also have other good players as well that have attacking abilities. It's up to the coach who will have a place, but we're a team and I feel like teamwork is most important."
Pulisic demonstrated his importance to the Stars and Stripes despite his limited appearance against Paraguay. He assisted Folarin Balogun's 31st-minute goal, and played an instrumental part in the buildup to Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bombadilla's own goal in the seventh minute.
Currently playing his club soccer for Italian giants AC Milan, Pulisic completed 18 of his 22 passes, created two chances, had four successful dribbles, made two tackles, drew a foul and won seven ground duels in just 45 minutes.
Pulisic was replaced at halftime by midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, whose introduction led to a formation change for the Stars and Stripes.
Against Australia, Pochettino selected Pepi to take Pulisic's spot. The El Paso, Texas, native has scored 13 goals in 38 appearances for the Stars and Stripes and currently plays for Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. Pepi predominantly plays as a striker at club level, though he starts on the left wing against the Socceroos.
"We decided to play with Ricardo and (Balogun) to striker to try to change the offensive situation," Pochettino told Fox Sports. "I think like always, the game plan is about trying to be effective and optimize. I think it's a very good game to see the team play with two strikers. … Hope everything is going well and we can enjoy the game."
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This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 4:50 PM.