USA's Christian Pulisic Embraces World Cup Pressure

The veteran star is ready to lead the USMNT in Qatar after a decade of national team experience.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 10:56am

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Christian Pulisic, the 2022 World Cup goalscorer and longtime U.S. men's national team starter, is embracing the pressure and intensity as he prepares to lead the USMNT in the 2026 World Cup in Qatar. Pulisic, who has won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea and now plays for AC Milan, is one of the faces of both the U.S. team and one of soccer's most storied clubs.

Why it matters

As the USMNT looks to build on their 2022 World Cup performance, Pulisic's veteran leadership and experience will be crucial. The U.S. is aiming to make a deep run in the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across North America.

The details

Pulisic, 28, has been a fixture in the USMNT lineup for nearly a decade, having made his national team debut in 2016. He played a key role in the U.S. team's 2022 World Cup campaign, scoring a crucial goal in the group stage. Now, as the team prepares for the 2026 World Cup, Pulisic is embracing the pressure and intensity of training, using his experience to guide the younger players.

  • Pulisic made his USMNT debut in 2016.
  • Pulisic scored a goal for the U.S. in the 2022 World Cup.

The players

Christian Pulisic

A 28-year-old forward who has been a starter for the U.S. men's national team for nearly a decade. He has won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea and now plays for AC Milan.

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What they’re saying

“You can feel the intensity in the trainings,”

— Christian Pulisic

What’s next

The USMNT will continue its preparations for the 2026 World Cup, with Pulisic expected to be a key leader on the team.

The takeaway

As the USMNT looks to build on its 2022 World Cup performance, Christian Pulisic's veteran leadership and experience will be crucial in guiding the team to success in the 2026 tournament.