SouthernWorldwide.com – Team USA has already secured their spot at the top of Group D in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following victories in their initial two matches against Paraguay and Australia. This means their final group stage game against Türkiye holds no bearing on their standings within the group.
However, the fitness of star player Christian Pulisic continues to be a significant talking point for the USMNT. Pulisic was sidelined for the match against Australia due to a calf injury, an issue that also limited his playing time in the second half of their opening game against Paraguay.
In a recent interview with FOX Sports’ Jenny Taft, Pulisic shared his current condition and his readiness for the upcoming match against Türkiye.
“Yeah, I’m feeling great. I think the team’s feeling great. I’ve been able to join the team the last few days, and I’m feeling healthy and ready to go for this game,” he stated.
This update is undoubtedly positive news for the USMNT. When pressed by Taft about whether he felt he was at 100%, Pulisic offered a confident response.
“Yeah, I would say so,” he responded. “I would say definitely yesterday I felt very close, and I would say 100%.”
The crucial question now is whether head coach Mauricio Pochettino will opt to play Pulisic in a match that has no impact on their progression to the knockout stage.
One perspective suggests that risking Pulisic in this game could be unwise, given the team’s successful performance so far. The United States has demonstrated strong form in their opening matches, and their focus will inevitably shift to the Round of 32, where every game is a must-win scenario. Pulisic’s full fitness will be paramount for those crucial upcoming matches.
Conversely, Pulisic has only played a single half in the tournament so far. Participating in the match against Türkiye could provide him with valuable game action and a chance to build momentum and comfort on the field, rather than relying solely on practice sessions. Even for an experienced World Cup player like Pulisic, regaining match sharpness could be beneficial before the higher stakes of the Round of 32.
Taft also indicated that players have not yet been informed of their status for the upcoming game. Furthermore, Pochettino must consider the four players who are currently on yellow cards: Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Folarin Balogun, and Tyler Adams. Any additional booking for these players would result in a one-match suspension, forcing them to miss the critical Round of 32 fixture.
Pulisic has a history of dealing with injuries leading up to the World Cup. He had limited playing time since early May, with only three substitute appearances for his club, AC Milan, and did not complete a full match in any of the three U.S. friendlies prior to the tournament.
Despite his limited minutes, Pulisic has maintained that this does not affect his “sharpness.” Football fans will be eager to see if the now reportedly 100% healthy star will be deployed by Pochettino on Thursday night in Los Angeles.
Following their 3-1 victory, it is anticipated that the United States will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32.
