Is Christian Pulisic Playing Against Australia? USMNT’s Star’s Latest Injury Report at FIFA World Cup 2026

It was a masterclass in attacking football on Group Stage Matchday 1, and the fact that it came from the USMNT made it that much more surprising. However, it wasn’t perfect as Mauricio Pochettino was forced to substitute star player Christian Pulisic at half-time. Questions were raised, doubts seeped in, and many wondered: would the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts be without their star for Group Stage Matchday 2?

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the AC Milan forward has recovered from his calf issue and will be available for the Americans’ match against Australia. That is a major relief for many USMNT fans, especially given that Pulisic is the linchpin of that team. However, the report remains unconfirmed, even though the Italian journalist is a tier 1 source.

Even then, questions remain as to whether he will start. That remains unlikely, given that Pochettino won’t want to risk his best player, even against Australia. The USMNT did manage to produce an impressive performance against Paraguay, walking out as 4-1 winners. It was arguably one of their best performances in a World Cup, and the 27-year-old was at the heart of it all, despite walking into the team injured.

The forward had reportedly hurt his calf during training before the World Cup and has endured a tough season. Pulisic had his minutes managed in the latter half with AC Milan. In fact, while he played all but three games in 2026, he completed a full 90 only thrice. Not just that, he also failed to score a single Serie A goal in 2026.

Despite that, the American stepped up in the 4-1 win, before he was replaced at half-time. Since then, Christian Pulisic has been training separately from the rest of the team. The American has been on a “modified training program” as reported by the Guardian. Reporters didn’t even see him with the team during the opening training session in Irvine over the week.

JUST IN: Christian Pulisic has recovered from his calf injury and will be available today vs Australia pic.twitter.com/znkniiWTk0

— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) June 19, 2026

In fact, the Guardian further added that Pulisic had only been in the gym since the game, shifting to ball training on Wednesday. However, his will to be back on the pitch with his teammates at a home FIFA World Cup hasn’t changed.

“I know he really wants to be [on the field tomorrow],” Weston McKennie said as per the Guardian. “And he’s doing everything that he can, and the staff is doing everything that they can as well.”

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