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Christian Pulisic’s 2026 World Cup ended the way nobody wanted it to: on a stretcher, with a fractured right leg, watching Belgium dismantle the US men’s national team 4-1 in the round of 16. The AC Milan star and USMNT captain went down after colliding with Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans while attempting a shot in the 59th minute on July 7.
What happened to Pulisic
The injury occurred when Pulisic planted his right foot and twisted his leg during contact with Tielemans.
After the match, Pulisic confirmed that he twisted both his ankle and his knee on the play. He indicated a potential fracture or microfracture in addition to the ankle sprain, though the full extent of the damage will require further medical evaluation.
This wasn’t Pulisic’s first injury scare of the tournament. He had already missed time earlier in the World Cup due to a calf injury, which limited his availability and effectiveness throughout the group stage. He finished the entire tournament without scoring a single goal, recording just one assist across his appearances.
Pulisic struck a measured tone in his post-match comments, expressing disappointment while noting he would have time to recover.
What this means for Pulisic and the USMNT’s future
At 27, Pulisic remains in his prime years. Home World Cups don’t happen often. The US last hosted in 1994, over three decades ago. The next World Cup, in 2030, will be co-hosted across multiple continents, and Pulisic will be 31 by then.
For AC Milan, the concern is more immediate. Pulisic has been a consistent contributor in Serie A, and losing him for a significant stretch of the 2026-27 season would hurt their squad depth.
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