USA to face Australia in FIFA World Cup due to Pulisic injury concerns
Sports analyst Dan Dakich previews the USA-Australia FIFA World Cup match, addressing concerns over star Christian Pulisic’s calf injury. Dakich highlights Australia’s strong team, noting their improved performances since a coaching change, making them a dangerous opponent. He highlights the importance of Team USA’s preparation for this crucial knockout stage match and also discusses the US Open golf tournament.
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Team USA’s final group stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is irrelevant to winning Group D: they’ve already done that after wins in their opening two matches against Paraguay and Australia.
But Christian Pulisic’s status remains a topic of conversation 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 during practice leading up to the final group stage match against Turkey.
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Christian Pulisic had an assist in the first half of the USMNT World Cup opener against Paraguay. (Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images)
“Yes, I feel good. I think the team feels good. I was able to rejoin the team the last few days and I feel healthy and ready to play this game,” he said.
That’s certainly a good thing for the USMNT to hear, and even more so when Pulisic answered Taft’s follow-up question: Is he 100 percent?
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“Yeah, I would,” he replied. “I would say yesterday I felt very close, and I would say 100%.”
The question now is whether head coach Mauricio Pochettino wants to risk facing Pulisic in a match that means nothing in terms of a place in the round of 16.
One of the arguments is why risk another injury? The United States did a fantastic job winning both matches early in the tournament, and the real match that will matter will be the round of 16, where they will become win-or-go-home territory. Team USA will need Pulisic 100% to be sure of this match and moving forward.
American Christian Pulisic celebrates after an own goal by Paraguayan Damian Bobadilla during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026. (Sébastien Frej/Getty Images)
Then again, Pulisic has only played one half in this tournament, and it would bode well for him to play against an opponent rather than face his teammates in a practice setting. The momentum and comfort, even with a World Cup veteran like Pulisic, would do “Captain America” well to get going before the round of 16.
Taft added that players have not yet been informed whether they will play. Pochettino may also need to be careful with the four players carrying yellow cards: Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Folarin Balogun and Tyler Adams. Another warning would result in a one-match suspension, forcing them to miss the round of 16.
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Pulisic also struggled with injuries ahead of the World Cup, having not played much since early May. He made three appearances as a substitute for his club, AC Milan, and did not play a full match in the three US friendlies leading up to the World Cup.
American Christian Pulisic takes part in a training session for the 2026 World Cup at Great Sports Park in Irvine, California, June 17, 2026. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Pulisic, however, said the minutes do not affect his “sharpness”, and we will see if the 100% healthy star will be used by Pochettino on Thursday evening in Los Angeles.
After their 3-1 victory on Wednesday, it appears the United States will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 16.
