USA to face Australia at FIFA World Cup amid Pulisic injury concerns
Sports analyst Dan Dakich previews the FIFA World Cup match between the United States and Australia and addresses concerns about star Christian Pulisic’s calf injury. Dakich highlights Australia’s strong team and highlights their best performance since the coaching change, making them a dangerous opponent. He highlights the importance of the American team being prepared for this decisive match in the knockout phase and also mentions the US Open golf tournament.
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Team USA’s final group game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup doesn’t matter in terms of winning Group D: They’ve already done it after wins in their first two games against Paraguay and Australia.
But Christian Pulisic’s status remains a talking point for the USMNT, as he did not play against Australia after suffering a calf injury that kept him out of the second half of their opening match against Paraguay.
But Pulisic told FOX Sports’ Jenny Taft how he felt in practice leading up to the final group game against Türkiye.
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Christian Pulisic had an assist in the first half of the USMNT World Cup opener against Paraguay. (Images by Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn)
“Yes, I feel very good. I think the team feels very good. I have been able to join the team these last few days and I feel healthy and ready for this game,” he said.
It’s certainly a good thing for the USMNT, and even more so when Pulisic responded to Taft’s next question: Is he 100%?
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“Yes, I would say so,” he replied. “I would say I definitely felt very close yesterday, and I would say 100%.”
The question now is whether coach Mauricio Pochettino wants to risk playing Pulisic in a match that means nothing in terms of his place in the knockout round.
One side of the argument is why risk another injury? The United States has done a fantastic job of winning both games to start the tournament, and the real game that matters will be the round of 32, where it becomes win-or-go-home territory. Team USA will need Pulisic at 100% to secure that match and move forward.
Christian Pulisic of the United States celebrates after an own goal by Damián Bobadilla of Paraguay during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026. (Sebastián Frej/Getty Images)
On the other hand, Pulisic has only played one half in this tournament, and it would bode well for him to get some action against an opponent rather than facing his teammates in a practice setting. Momentum and comfort, even with a World Cup veteran like Pulisic, would do well for “Captain America” to get going before the round of 32.
Taft added that players have not yet been informed if they will play. Pochettino may also have to be careful with the four players who have yellow cards: Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Folarin Balogun and Tyler Adams. Another booking would result in a one-match suspension, causing them to miss the round of 32.
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Pulisic has also dealt with injuries ahead of the World Cup, and hasn’t played much since early May. He made three substitute appearances for his club, AC Milan, and did not play a full match in three friendlies with the United States prior to the World Cup.
Christian Pulisic of the United States participates in a training session for the 2026 World Cup at Great Sports Park in Irvine, California, on June 17, 2026. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Pulisic, however, has said that the minutes do not affect his “sharpness” and we will see if Pochettino uses the 100% healthy star on Thursday night in Los Angeles.
After their 3-1 victory on Wednesday, it looks like the United States will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32.
