Christian Pulisic fractured his right leg during the United States' 4-1 defeat by Belgium in the World Cup last 16, US Soccer has confirmed. The 27-year-old AC Milan forward was substituted in the 59th minute, moments after Belgium scored their third goal in Seattle, having appeared to injure himself early in the second half when he kicked the back of Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans’ leg while attempting a shot.
A US Soccer statement said Pulisic had been diagnosed with “a microfracture and bone bruise of the tibia/fibula in his right leg suffered during the match against Belgium”. The federation will collaborate with AC Milan on his recovery plan.
“Christian Pulisic fractured his right leg in the US's 4-1 World Cup defeat to Belgium.”
The defeat, the US’s heaviest in a World Cup in 36 years, sparked fierce criticism of the team and questions over Pulisic’s early withdrawal. Carli Lloyd, the country’s all-time leading goalscorer, said she was disappointed in him and, recalling his decision to sit out the 2025 Gold Cup to rest before a World Cup year, posted on X: “You rest when your playing career is over. Period.” Landon Donovan, the US’s leading men’s World Cup scorer, said: “I would have punched the doctor in the face and said, ‘You’re not taking me off the field’.”
No timeframe has been given for Pulisic’s return, but The Athletic reported he “will be sidelined for several weeks but not months”, citing multiple people briefed on the diagnosis. He would have been unavailable for a quarter-final had the US progressed. AC Milan begin their Serie A campaign on 23 August against Torino.
