Pulisic's Latest Injury Sparks World Cup 2026 Fears for USMNT Star

United States men's national team star Christian Pulisic finds himself sidelined once again, this time dealing with bursitis, creating another obstacle on his journey toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri announced the injury before the Rossoneri's journey to Bologna on Tuesday, a match the team played without Pulisic. The coach expressed hope that the condition isn't severe and remained positive that the American forward would be "ready to return in the next few days."

Bursitis involves inflammation of fluid-filled pouches located near joints, and Pulisic's condition affects his hip area, according to The Athletic. The club must monitor how the 27-year-old recovers during the week before determining his availability for Friday's encounter with Pisa.

In the meantime, Milan faces the challenge of competing without one of their top performers in a crucial match against Bologna to maintain pressure on table-toppers Inter. A Tuesday victory would bring Allegri's squad within just five points of their fierce rivals at the summit.

Pulisic's Career Plagued by Fitness Issues

Pulisic's Career Plagued by Fitness Issues

Pulisic has become accustomed to prolonged periods away from the pitch. During his final two campaigns at Chelsea, the attacker endured five separate injuries, sidelining him for extended periods.

Pulisic was absent for the opening two and a half months of the 2020–21 campaign due to a hamstring problem. He made his comeback in October, only to return to the treatment room in November for nearly a month because of a muscular complaint.

The 2021–22 campaign began with a disturbingly familiar pattern; Pulisic sustained an ankle problem in early September and didn't feature again until Halloween. Moving to his last season wearing blue, the American talent missed another two months because of a knee ailment.

Pulisic succeeded in steering clear of any major recurring problems following his transfer to Milan ... until 2025–26. The USMNT skipper picked up a hamstring injury during international duty in October that ruled him out for approximately 25 days. Since that setback, his physical condition has remained unstable, forcing him to miss individual matches or be restricted to bench appearances over the past two months.

Pulisic Injury Record

Pulisic Injury Record

Data courtesy of Transfermarkt.

The USMNT Requires a Healthy Pulisic for the 2026 World Cup

The USMNT Requires a Healthy Pulisic for the 2026 World Cup

Any fitness concerns regarding Pulisic create significant worries for the Stars and Stripes. If Mauricio Pochettino's squad hopes to make an impact on home turf this summer at the 2026 World Cup, they require their premier player at the forefront.

Certainly, the USMNT managed during last summer's Gold Cup, and even claimed wins over Paraguay and Uruguay during the November international break while Pulisic stayed in Milan. However, succeeding in World Cup fixtures presents an entirely different challenge, one that requires their star player to overcome.

If Pulisic experiences another extended injury before the tournament, he would enter the sport's biggest stage without the optimal preparation he or his coach would prefer. Beyond match fitness concerns, his playing form would also be questionable.

Following his hamstring injury in October, Pulisic's outstanding beginning to the 2025–26 season has become a fading memory. The former Chelsea player has scored only four times since his return, with all four strikes coming before 2026 began.

In the current year, Pulisic hasn't recorded a single goal or assist in five matches. Another stint in the medical room during such a poor run represents yet another hurdle, and if issues continue accumulating, the 27-year-old might find himself lacking both form and fitness when the World Cup arrives.