Christian Pulisic injury updates: Latest news on USMNT star's status vs. Australia in World Cup

Christian Pulisic injury updates: Latest news on USMNT star’s status vs. Australia in World Cup originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The USMNT enjoyed a charmed showing at SoFi Stadium on Saturday, cruising to a 4-1 win over Paraguay to kick off its World Cup run with a flourish.

Christian Pulisic was at the heart of much of what went right for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, contributing to both of the U.S.’s first two goals. However, the skilled dribbler stayed on the sidelines during halftime, giving way after taking a knock to the lower leg.

Pulisic has yet to return to full-team training, leading some to believe his status for the USMNT’s next match — a joust with Australia — could be in jeopardy.

With that, here’s what we know about Pulisic’s health ahead of Friday night’s match.

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Is Christian Pulisic playing vs. Australia?

Pulisic has not been officially ruled out of the United States’ game against Australia, but things are not looking promising. On Thursday evening, USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino said a decision on the American captain’s availability will be made Friday after meeting with the team’s medical staff.

The American forward has yet to take part in full team training this week, missing each of the past three sessions with an apparent calf injury.

Pulisic has taken to the pitch for individual training, spurning the wider team sessions for one-on-one work. Interestingly, Pulisic’s left leg was cloaked in a sleeve when he was seen practicing.

Christian Pulisic is on the field for his individual training session. #USMNTpic.twitter.com/XwGcJPZJXB

— Ryan Tolmich (@RyanTolmich) June 17, 2026

Pulisic exited the USMNT’s 4-1 win at halftime, departing after taking “a bit of a kick”, he told Fox Sports postgame.

“Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days,” Pulisic said, per ESPN.

“Just the back of my leg, my calf area. But I’ve had similar things before, and I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything at all.”

Pochettino revealed that the U.S.’s No. 10 “could not walk” after suffering the injury, per The Athletic.

“We’re hopeful the next game he’ll be available,” Pochettino said.

With a point all but ensuring the USMNT gets into the knockout stages — and a win guaranteeing the Americans win the group — there’s a tendency to want Pochettino to pull out a full-strength side complete with Pulisic. There exists the chance, however, that Pochettino would opt to play someone else in his role, avoiding the possibility of Pulisic re-aggravating the ailment. In other words, Pulisic’s status remains up in the air for Friday’s match.

MORE:USMNT player grades for the victory over Paraguay to begin the 2026 World Cup

Christian Pulisic injury updates

(All times Eastern)

Thursday, June 18

6:45 p.m.: Pochettino informed reporters that no decision has been made on Pulisic’s status for Friday’s game against Australia. The USMNT manager said a decision will be made Friday morning after meeting with the medical staff and assessing the situation.

Mauricio Pochettino says they will meet with the medical staff today and make a call on Christian Pulisic’s status tomorrow

“He’s doing a massive effort to get ready” but will likely be available for Turkiye game if he can’t play against Australia#USMNTpic.twitter.com/1sUJIpm9GA

— Pardeep Cattry (@pcattry) June 18, 2026

3:00 p.m.: Pulisic exited Saturday’s match against Paraguay with a calf injury. The American star took a knock to the calf during the first half, he told reporters post-match. While he downplayed the severity of the injury, it was enough to force him off, although the fact that the U.S. already led 3-0 might’ve made his substitution a bit easier to swallow.

Post-match, Pochettino revealed that Pulisic was nearly left immobile as a result of his malady. On Thursday, Fox Sports’ Jenny Taft reported that the 27-year-old remains day-to-day with his calf issue. He has been a fixture on the training ground, taking part in isolated activation. However, the fact that he hasn’t been able to train with the first team does suggest he could start Friday’s match on the bench — or miss out on the squad entirely.

Christian Pulisic remains day-to-day and has yet to have a full training session with the @USMNT all week 🇺🇸@JennyTaft has more here pic.twitter.com/RU62WDRfGa

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 18, 2026

2:30 p.m.: The latest on Pulisic comes from The Athletic’s Henry Bushnell, who caught a video of the USMNT star walking towards the team’s pre-warmup huddle, accompanied by USMNT medical staff. Whereas his teammates took to the training pitch, Pulisic headed to the gym. He remains a doubt for Friday’s game.

The only glimpse we got of Christian Pulisic today: walking to join a pre-warmup huddle, trailed by performance/medical staffers.

He subsequently went into the gym and did not start the training session with teammates.

24 hours til kickoff vs. Australia. Poch will speak later. pic.twitter.com/Kzv8Hom7oZ

— Henry Bushnell (@HenryBushnell) June 18, 2026

What happened to Christian Pulisic?

Pulisic was subbed out of the USMNT’s match against the Paraguay after being caught on the leg during the first half. Pulisic downplayed the nature of his injury and the USMNT declared that he was day-to-day with a lower leg ailment. Nevertheless, he hasn’t yet taken part in full-team training, suggesting that something less-than-ideal is afoot.