July 9 (UPI) — Christian Pulisic fractured his right leg during a loss to Belgium at the 2026 World Cup, the United States Soccer Federation announced Thursday.
Pulisic departed in the 59th minute of the 4-1 setback in the Round of 16 Monday in Seattle.
“Christian Pulisic has been diagnosed with a microfracture and bone bruise of the tibia/fibula in his right leg suffered during the match against Belgium,” the federation said. “U.S. Soccer and AC Milan will be collaborating on his recovery plan.”
Dubbed “Captain America,” Pulisic entered the tournament as the Americans’ active leader in career goals, with 33.
But the AC Milan forward/midfielder missed significant time at the World Cup due to injuries and finished the tournament without a score, prompting criticism from fans and former players.
“Tough to find the words,” Pulisic wrote Wednesday on Instagram. “I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who believed. The support carried us all the way through. It simply wasn’t good enough from us in the end and I wanted to deliver so much more.
“I still feel blessed to be a part of this team. The memories this summer will last a lifetime. It’s just the start for us and for this sport in America.”
Pulisic did not play in the second half of the Americans’ 4-0 win over Paraguay to open the World Cup. He also sat out their second Group D match, a 2-0 win over Australia.
He entered as a substitute in the second half of a 3-2 loss to Turkey on June 25 in Inglewood, Calif. He played 88 minutes during a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.
Christian Pulisic provides an update on the injury he faced@JennyTaftpic.twitter.com/odGhLaTIcA— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino said Pulisic’s exit during the Paraguay match was precautionary to avoid further damage after he took a kick to the calf. Pulisic said he twisted his ankle in the Belgium match.
The No. 8 Belgians will play No. 3 Spain in a World Cup quarterfinal at 3 p.m. EDT Friday in Inglewood.
