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The U.S. may face Australia in the World Cup without star Christian Pulisic
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Special Series Soccer Edition Follow the World Cup in the NPR App Find Your Station Sign up for Up First for Soccer Edition on Tuesdays The 2026 FIFA World Cup is from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Sixteen host cities across North America, including Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, Kansas City, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States. The NPR Network will have coverage from across the country leading up to and during the championship. The U.S. has an important match Friday against Australia.
Soccer Edition Your cheat sheet to the 26 players on the U.S. Eastern time at Lumen Field in Seattle, will be pivotal in determining the U.S.'s knockout-stage seeding.
Both the U.S. and Australia won their openers — the U.S. over Paraguay 4-1 and Australia over Turkey 2-0 — meaning the winner of Friday's game between the two teams will be in the driver's seat to win the group.
Craig O'Donoghue and his son (right) catch a Seattle Mariners game while in town for the FIFA men's World Cup on Thursday, June 18, 2026. KUOW Photo/ Casey Martin hide caption
Craig O'Donoghue and his son (right) catch a Seattle Mariners game while in town for the FIFA men's World Cup on Thursday, June 18, 2026. players, during a training session for the 2026 World Cup at the team's training facility in Irvine, Calif. on Wednesday. Jamie Squire/Getty Images hide caption
The third and final U.S. group stage game, in which the Americans will face Turkey, is scheduled for next Thursday, June 25.
after their 2-0 win over Turkey last week. Turkey, whose roster features stars like Arda Güler of Real Madrid and Kenan Yıldız of Juventus, had been considered by some analysts to be the strongest team in the group.
faced Australia was in an international friendly match in October 2025. It was a chippy, foul-filled game that the Americans won 2-1. Pulisic left that game with an injury to his right leg after being tripped by Australian defender Jason Geria.
"They're a very physical team. They have guys in the back. I think crosses in the box will be very hard to get past them, and they have speed up top for counterattacks," said midfielder Weston McKennie on Thursday. "It's going to be a battle, I know that for sure, and a rough one as well."
Due to an editing error, a previous version of this story said Güler and Yıldız played for Australia. In fact, they play for Turkey
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− The U.S.
+ Christian Pulisic will not play for the U.S.
− may face Australia in the World Cup without star Christian Pulisic June 19, 20265:00 AM ET Becky Sullivan
Players of the United States celebrate during their opening World Cup match, a 4-1 victory over Paraguay.
+ in key World Cup game against Australia Updated June 19, 20261:56 PM ET Originally published June 19, 20265:00 AM ET By
Becky Sullivan
,
Russell Lewis
Players of the United States celebrate during their opening World Cup match, a 4-1 victory over Paraguay.
− Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images hide caption
SEATTLE — The performance of the U.S. men's national soccer team in Friday's match against Australia could come down to the health of star Christian Pulisic — and specifically, his left calf.
+ Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images hide caption
SEATTLE — The star of the United States men's national team, Christian Pulisic, will not play in the team's important World Cup game Friday against Australia.
− World Cup team The group stage game against Australia, set for 3 p.m.
+ World Cup team About 90 minutes before kickoff, head coach Mauricio Pochettino told Fox that Pulisic is unavailable due to a nagging left calf injury suffered in the team's opening match against Paraguay.
+ "It is hoped, as soon as possible, [he] can be ready to be selected again to be part of the team," Pochettino said.
The group stage game against Australia, set for 3 p.m.
− But a Pulisic absence on the left side could spell trouble for the Americans.
+ In Pulisic's absence, forward Ricardo Pepi will start Friday.
− After being kicked in the left calf by a Paraguayan player, Pulisic exited last Friday's game at halftime.
+ Pepi has appeared in four matches for the U.S.
− The difference in the U.S. performance between the first and second half, after Pulisic was replaced by midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, was noticeable. Paraguay scored its only goal after halftime.
+ in 2026 and logged two assists, one against Belgium in March and the second against Senegal in May.
− KUOW Photo/ Casey Martin hide caption
"Christian is a really important player for us.
+ KUOW Photo/ Casey Martin hide caption
Pulisic's absence on the left side could spell trouble for the Americans.
− He can be really dangerous on the wing side," said teammate and midfielder Sergiño Dest.
Pulisic has been training individually all week long.
+ He was key in creating two of the Americans' three first-half goals against Paraguay.
− On Thursday, U.S.
+ Then, after being kicked in the leg by a Paraguayan player, he exited last Friday's game at halftime.
− head coach Mauricio Pochettino said the team would make a final determination later.
"He's evolving.
+ The difference in the U.S.
− He's much better from Friday.
+ performance between the first and second half, after Pulisic was replaced, was noticeable.
− We'll see," Pochettino said.
+ Paraguay scored its only goal after halftime.
"Christian is a really important player for us.
− "I think at the moment we think if he's not available for [Friday], he'll be available for the next game.
+ He can be really dangerous on the wing side," said teammate and midfielder Sergiño Dest.
Pulisic had been training individually all week long.
− He's [making] a massive effort trying to be ready."
Christian Pulisic (L) practices on his own, away from other U.S.
+ On Thursday, Pochettino said Pulisic had been improving and was making a "massive effort trying to be ready" to play against Australia.
Christian Pulisic (L) practices on his own, away from other U.S.
− Pulisic's importance to the team cannot be overstated.
+ Australia comes into Friday's game tied in the Group D standings with the U.S.
− In the win over Paraguay, he was key in creating two of the three first-half U.S. goals. An injury replacement on the left wing could be Brenden Aaronson, the 25-year-old midfielder for Leeds United.
"I'm always ready to play," Aaronson told reporters Wednesday. "Hopefully Christian's going to be ready for the game because he's a big player to us, and we really want him to be there."
Soccer Edition FAQ: How World Cup fans and workers can stay safe in the heat Australia comes into Friday's game tied in the Group D standings with the U.S.
− The last time the U.S.
+ Soccer Edition FAQ: How World Cup fans and workers can stay safe in the heat The last time the U.S.