The United States confirmed on July 9, 2026, that forward Christian Pulisic fractured his leg during a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16. Pulisic, who was substituted in the 59th minute, suffered the injury while attempting a shot shortly after Belgium scored their third goal in Seattle.
According to a statement from the US Soccer Federation, Pulisic has been diagnosed with a microfracture and bone bruise of the tibia/fibula in his right leg. The federation also mentioned that they, along with Pulisic's club team, AC Milan, will work together on his recovery plan.
Impact of Pulisic's Injury on US Team
The US players faced significant criticism in the media following their elimination, marking their heaviest World Cup defeat in 36 years. Pulisic's early exit sparked discussions among analysts and former players about his performance throughout the tournament.
Carli Lloyd, the all-time leading goal scorer for the US, expressed her disappointment, stating, "I was a bit disappointed in Christian Pulisic. Whether he wants to be the star of this team or not, we didn’t see enough from him in this particular game - and, really, the whole World Cup. Little glimpses here and there." Lloyd also recalled Pulisic's decision to rest during the 2025 Gold Cup, emphasizing, "You rest when your playing career is over. Period."
