Pulisic Ruled Out of USMNT's World Cup Encounter with Australia Due to Calf Injury

Christian Pulisic will miss the United States Men's National Team's FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match against Australia. The forward was officially ruled out approximately 90 minutes before kickoff by head coach Mauricio Pochettino, confirming earlier doubts surrounding his fitness.

Pulisic sustained an aggravation to his left calf during the previous World Cup fixture against Paraguay, which led to his substitution at halftime. Since then, he had been training individually, unable to participate fully with the main squad in the lead-up to the crucial game in Seattle.

In Pulisic's absence, Ricardo Pepi will step into the starting lineup for the USMNT. Coach Pochettino expressed optimism that Pulisic could recover in time for the team's final group stage match, scheduled for June 25 against Türkiye.