Team USA Faces Australia in World Cup Knockout Match After 3-0 Paraguay Win

Q: Will an injured Christian Pulisic play in the USA's must-win match against Australia's formidable defense?

Christian Pulisic is unlikely to play against Australia, though the U.S. had not made a final call as of the eve of the match. The main issue is his left calf injury, which forced him off at halftime in the 4-1 win over Paraguay. Since then, he has not returned to full team training. Reports say he trained only individually or in a modified way during the week, and on Thursday he did not take part with the full squad. Coach Mauricio Pochettino said Pulisic was “much better” but stopped short of clearing him. He said a final decision would come after consulting the medical staff and added that if Pulisic is not available for Australia, he should be ready for the next group match against Türkiye. That is a strong sign the staff is leaning toward caution rather than risking him in this game. That matters because Australia’s defense has looked organized and resilient under new coach Tony Popovic. In its 2-0 win over Turkey, Australia had limited possession and fewer shots, but still protected its goal effectively, with goalkeeper Patrick Beach making eight saves. Dan Dakich’s view that this should be a tight, low-scoring match fits that profile. So the best answer is that Pulisic’s status remained uncertain, but all available evidence pointed to him being doubtful and more likely to miss the match than start it. If he is held out, the U.S. is expected to turn to alternatives such as Brenden Aaronson or Giovanni Reyna.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jun 19

Team USA meets Australia in a FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout-stage match after opening with a 3-0 win over Paraguay.
Christian Pulisic's calf injury is a key concern heading into the game, with the U.S. needing to stay aggressive to create chances against an organized Australian side.
Australia reached the matchup with a 2-0 win over Turkey, leaning on a defense that held firm despite just 28% possession and half as many shots on goal.
The matchup is viewed as more competitive than a typical early-round mismatch, with Australia improved under a coaching change and capable of punishing U.S. mistakes.