Why Christian Pulisic’s Health Is Key to a Deep USA Run In the 2026 World Cup
It happened again to Christian Pulisic. He was just removed this week from the AC Milan lineup for the upcoming game against Juventus. This has been a recurring theme for the captain of the USMT. Injuries have reared its ugly head often since he started playing in the Premier League. The injuries are not excessive but nagging, and they must be taken into consideration when the United States plays in the 2026 World Cup. The tri-hosts' success depends on their best player being healthy and on the pitch. It has been the only weakness in the armor of Captain America.
Pulisic is the youngest captain in United States history. He is a game changer, he is equal to players like Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Lionel Messi. The type of talent that sets teams apart from the others and something the United States has never owned. It's a primary reason why they are careful concerning their health. A case in point is Angel Di Maria of Argentina who had a penchant for injuries in tournaments. Di Maria was a key cog for the Albiceleste and often he would get injured in the latter stages which contributed to Argentina falling short as Di Maria and Messi together were unbeatable. The absence of Di Maria left Messi as the sole threat and easier to mark out of key games.
Pulisic has been a godsend for a United States team that is getting better in general with more players being brought overseas, which is a healthy sign for any nation that endeavors to challenge for trophies internationally. Pulisic, with his dribbling skills, speed, and ability to finish, is crucial for winning titles at any level, as evidenced by his three CONCACAF Nations League titles. No Pulisic and the U.S. are good, with Pulisic, they threaten to go deep at the upcoming World Cup. He was the most expensive American player acquired when Chelsea added him to a team that would go on two years later to capture the UEFA Champions League. He went on to win the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup.
This series of excellent results brought Pulisic to the Italian League, where AC Milan acquired him for four years and was even given the number 11 shirt once worn by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Pulisic is primetime for sure as he has won three consecutive CONCACAF Nations League titles for the USMT. However, all these accomplishments are getting blurred by the rash of injuries. The Hershey, Pennsylvania native as seen in the recent Paramount Plus documentary shows the endless amount of time that Christian has put into his game over the years along with the travel and journeys from his early teens to the present time which may have contributed to the recent breakdowns.
The timing of these has been unfortunate. Pulisic became the first American player to score in the 2020 FA Cup Final but was unable to finish due to a hamstring injury. This would continue as he missed 53 club matches over four seasons. Fast forward to today and Pulisic survived a scare when the star winger was holding his thigh during the AC Milan game against Como. Milan coach Sergio Conceicao, having just taken over the club less than a month ago from Paulo Fonseca, gambled by keeping him off the field for the Juventus derby. He prefers to go with caution sacrificing one game as opposed to a lengthy period. “It's nothing serious,” Conceicao explained, “but if he plays for 20 minutes, he risks making the situation worse and I don't want that.” Neither does the USMT as clubs have to balance the needs of their teams with the nation that has an investment in them as well.
Conceicao also had other comments alluding to having more than enough talent to offset one player. This was an odd comment considering Pulisic has already scored five goals with four assists in 15 games thus far. The result of the match saw Juventus win 2-0 against AC Milan. These types of decisions have ended coaching careers prematurely. This will stand as a case in point why Pulisic’s health will be the factor during the 2026 World Cup. It also stands as the reason he desperately needs to play for the United States. It's a precarious balancing act and there are no sure answers. The USMT at home has the rare opportunity to take the next step in world soccer. They have been pecking at the fringes of the world elite. However, the stage has never been set better than it is now. Christian Pulisic must be fit and ready to do what many have waited four years to see. The United States taking its place among the best in the world, health permitting.
