Christian Pulisic suffered a leg injury on Monday, July 7, 2026, during the USMNT's 4-1 loss to Belgium.
The injury occurred in the 52nd minute when Pulisic kicked the back of Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans' calf.

What happened?

Pulisic tried to play through the injury for several minutes but was clearly hampered and in pain.
He was substituted in the 59th minute, immediately after Belgium scored its third goal.

Why it matters for Christian Pulisic

The injury is a significant blow to Pulisic, who has been the face of the USMNT's World Cup campaign.
He had set up two U.S. goals in the first half against Paraguay before leaving the game at halftime with a calf injury.

What comes next?

Pulisic is expected to miss several weeks but not months, and could return to training ahead of the new Serie A season.
AC Milan gets their campaign underway away at Torino on August 23, 2026.

Pulisic was seen on crutches at the U.S. team hotel the day after the injury.
He will not have been able to play in subsequent World Cup games if the U.S. had advanced.

The U.S. trailed only 2-1 early in the second half when Pulisic received the ball at the top of the box.
He attempted to shoot but was intervened by Tielemans, causing his left ankle to roll outward.

Pulisic went to the turf and stayed down for a little less than a minute.
He got up and tried to stay in the game but was clearly in pain.

He limped through the next few minutes, pulling up hobbling after the ball didn’t reach him.
He seemingly couldn’t decelerate, and was eventually substituted out of the game.

Pulisic gritted his teeth and pursed his lips, in apparent pain, as he walked toward the bench.
He was later pictured slumping in his seat on the bench, pulling his jersey up over his face.

The injury is Pulisic's second of the World Cup, having previously suffered a calf injury against Paraguay.
He returned as a substitute against Turkey before starting the knockout win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Pulisic has been roundly criticized for comments he made to Fox in a postgame interview.
He tried to shrug off the importance of his injury in the larger picture, saying "it's just frustrating to end like that".