Pulisic Fractures Leg in World Cup Loss, Out 4-6 Weeks

United States men’s national team star Christian Pulisic suffered a microfracture and bone bruise of the tibia and fibula in his right leg during the team’s 4-1 World Cup round-of-16 loss to Belgium on July 6 in Seattle, U.S. Soccer confirmed on Thursday. The injury, which occurred in the 52nd minute when Pulisic’s follow-through struck the leg of Belgium captain Youri Tielemans, is expected to sideline the AC Milan winger for four to six weeks.

The Injury and Diagnosis

Pulisic attempted a shot at the edge of the penalty box but instead kicked the back of Tielemans’ calf, causing his left ankle to roll outward as the two players’ legs collided. He remained in the game but was visibly hobbling, and Sebastian Berhalter replaced him in the 59th minute — moments after Belgium scored their third goal.

The diagnosis was made after an X-ray and MRI on Tuesday, July 7. U.S. Soccer announced the findings on Thursday, stating that Pulisic has “a microfracture and bone bruise of the tibia/fibula in his right leg” and that U.S. Soccer and AC Milan will collaborate on his recovery plan, according to the official statement.

“I just totally twisted my ankle and my knee in one play,” Pulisic said after the match, as reported by ESPN. “I mean, whatever. I have time to rest. It’s just an unfortunate way to finish.”

Recovery Timeline

Multiple sources report that Pulisic is expected to miss four to six weeks and should return to training with AC Milan at some point in August. The timeline puts him on track to be available for Milan’s Serie A opener at Torino on August 23, according to The Athletic.

Pulisic will begin life under new Milan manager Ruben Amorim upon his return. Speaking about Pulisic for the first time this week, Amorim called the 27-year-old a “really talented player” and said, “He is perfect for the way I think about football.”

A Difficult World Cup Campaign

The injury was the latest setback in a frustrating tournament for Pulisic, who failed to score in the World Cup. He also dealt with a calf injury sustained in training two days before the opener against Paraguay, which he aggravated during that match and was substituted at halftime. He sat out the match against Australia and played only 32 minutes against Turkey before returning for the round-of-32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Pulisic finished with 0 goals in five appearances — missing one match entirely and leaving two others early. He has 30 goals in 90 international appearances for the USMNT.

Criticism from US Soccer Legends

The USMNT’s round-of-16 exit at a home World Cup — the team’s heaviest defeat since a 5-1 loss to Czechoslovakia in 1990 — drew sharp criticism from former players. Carli Lloyd, the USWNT’s all-time leading scorer, told BBC Sport: “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.”

Lloyd also criticized Pulisic’s decision to sit out the 2025 Gold Cup to rest before the World Cup year, posting on X: “You rest when your playing career is over. Period.”

Landon Donovan, the USMNT’s all-time World Cup top scorer, was even more blunt: “I would have punched the doctor in the face and said, ‘You’re not taking me off the field.’”

What’s Next for Pulisic and the USMNT

At 27, Pulisic is entering his prime years but has yet to deliver a standout World Cup performance. The 2026 tournament on home soil was supposed to be his defining moment; instead, it ended with an injury and a round-of-16 exit. Recovery and performance in the upcoming Serie A season with AC Milan will be crucial for his career trajectory.

For the USMNT, the early exit raises broader questions. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s contract expires this summer, and his future is uncertain. The team has failed to advance past the round of 16 since 2002, highlighting a quarter-century of stagnation in the men’s program.

“A very bad day,” Pochettino said after the loss, as reported by AP News. “It’s not like you are in a rocket and you improve and you grow. It’s not linear.”

Pulisic, meanwhile, is focused on recovery. “I didn’t quite have the moments I was hoping to,” he said. “I’m disappointed with myself, of course, but I’m going to try and stay positive.”