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The American winger has returned to full training this week after missing the last game and a half due to a calf injury, and he is eager to make his mark again.

IRVINE, California – “Can I guess the first question?”

Christian Pulisic greeted reporters in Irvine with a grin, displaying good spirits despite a challenging fortnight. As he anticipated, the first question was about his fitness, marking the start of his media session.

“How are you feeling?”

Physically, he says he feels good. Mentally, even better. Though the calf injury limited him in the World Cup opener and forced him to sit out the second match completely, the U.S. men’s national team star looked calm and upbeat. The last ten days could easily have been frustrating, yet Pulisic appears at peace.

And why wouldn’t he be? The USMNT have already advanced to the knockout rounds after victories over Paraguay and Australia, despite Pulisic playing only 45 minutes so far. In that time, he was brilliant, but a recurrence of his calf issue cut his appearance short.

After the Australia win, one of the most memorable moments was Pulisic standing among the Seattle crowd, singing along to ‘Country Roads’ with a big smile, still in his warm-up top. If he was disappointed at not playing, it didn’t show. Instead, he radiated happiness.

“World Cups are so special,” he said. “Winning the first two games and moving on to the next round—it was just an incredible moment with the team. They played a song we all know, and it gave me chills. It’s just so much fun being here, part of this group, whether I’m on the field or not.”

He added, “Honestly, it’s the best experience you can live, and I’m loving every bit of it.”

Of course, he would love it even more if he could play. There’s a chance he might feature in Thursday’s clash with Turkey. Whether it’s worth the risk will be up to USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, but Pulisic confirms he’s ready if called upon.

“I’m obviously excited,” he said. “It’s the World Cup. Missing the last game was tough, so I want to get back on the pitch and help the team in any way I can.”

That was his mindset before the Australia game too, though it didn’t quite work out in time.

The initial injury

After Pulisic left the World Cup opener early, it was revealed that he had been carrying a minor knock even before kick-off. A kick to the calf during training had been bothering him in the days leading up to the match. Naturally, reporters wanted to know who was responsible.

“I will not say,” he replied with a laugh.

Despite that, Pulisic was declared fit to start against Paraguay. But when he was struck in the same area by a defender, he felt the pain return. He still managed to assist both of the U.S. goals before being substituted at halftime.

“It felt fine through most of the first half,” he explained. “Then I started to feel it again, but adrenaline helped me push through. It turned out to be a strong contusion, strain, whatever you want to call it.”

In the following week, he did “modified training” as fans and media speculated whether he would be fit for the Australia match. Ultimately, he didn’t play, watching from the bench as the USMNT claimed a 2–0 victory to secure their place in the knockouts.

“It was tough emotionally,” he admitted, “but supporting the team made it easier. The guys earned another fantastic win, especially with how they played in the second half. Everything feels easier when the team is winning. It’s been a joy to support them.”

The victory in Seattle removed any pressure from the final group game, but it didn’t lessen Pulisic’s determination to return to action.

‘I’ve been working every single day’

Pulisic emphasised that his absence wasn’t truly a rest period, revealing he has been training daily to regain full fitness.

“Two weeks off sounds crazy,” he said. “I haven’t been off; I’ve been working every single day.”

He continued, “I’m feeling good. I’ve been training with the team over the last few days, and I’m positive heading into it. Hopefully, I’ll be able to play some part tomorrow.”

Conventional logic suggests that Pochettino wouldn’t risk his top attacker in a match that carries no real stakes for either side. The potential downside outweighs the benefit. Yet, a short appearance could help Pulisic regain rhythm ahead of the knockout rounds. Whether or not that happens depends on the coach, but Pulisic insists he is ready whenever needed.

“I don’t think it’s enough time to lose sharpness,” he said of his layoff. “I’ve been on the ball every day, doing plenty of work. I’ve had a few training sessions, and I feel ready.”

Throughout his recovery, teammates have been asked about his condition. While they weren’t authorised to comment medically, they consistently described him as upbeat and motivated—a sentiment Pulisic agrees with.

‘It’s a unique bond’

The mood in the USMNT camp is upbeat, and Pulisic’s joy after the Australia match reflected that. Watching his teammates excel brought him pride, and celebrating with them was even better.

“I enjoyed being on the sideline, around the team,” he said. “I wanted to be there and live the World Cup moment with them. I couldn’t be prouder of how the guys handled everything. I had complete faith. It’s such a special group, and I’ve loved the experience.”

This World Cup feels different, he said, with an expanded format allowing more downtime with teammates, family, and coach Pochettino.

“I think he’s learning a lot,” Pulisic said about his coach adapting to American culture. “Sometimes someone says something super American in a meeting, and he’s like, ‘huh?’ It’s hilarious.”

“He’s really in tune with it, though. I was in his office yesterday, and he was listening to country music! It’s funny, but he also brings his Argentinian culture into the mix. The staff shares things from there too. It’s a really unique bond within the group.”

‘We can do it’

Winning always lifts spirits, and the USMNT’s World Cup campaign has gone nearly perfectly so far—even if their star man has had to watch part of it from the sidelines. Pulisic says he’s fine with that, with bigger challenges still to come, beginning with Thursday’s group finale against Turkey. Though the result may not alter much, maintaining momentum remains crucial for the squad.

“When you win your last game, you carry that good feeling into the next one,” he said. “That winning mentality sticks. You want to keep it going into the knockouts. A win helps you feel even better, which is why we’ll push for it.”

“It’s an amazing opportunity. We might not need a win, but it’s still a World Cup game, and everyone wants to perform their best.”

Another victory would only strengthen belief within the team. Pochettino’s side has already drawn attention with their performances, and another win would amplify that optimism. Regardless of who plays, the goal remains the same: to keep building belief.

“I always believe anything’s possible,” Pulisic said. “We don’t need a miracle to go far in the World Cup. We’ve got a really good team. We can do it. Things have to fall your way, like for everyone, but I’ve always felt that believing is better than not.”

More questions await, and Pulisic insists he’s physically and mentally ready to play his part in answering them.