World Cup: Christian Pulisic says he’s ‘feeling good,’ hopes to return for USMNT vs. Türkiye
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Steven GoffContributing writerThu, June 25, 2026 at 12:15 AM UTC·4 min readIRVINE, Calif. — Christian Pulisic did not even bother waiting for the first question from reporters before the U.S. training session Wednesday.
He shared what was on everyone's mind: How was he feeling after missing 1½ World Cup matches with a calf injury?
AdvertisementAdvertisement"I'm feeling good," he said in his first comments in 12 days. "I joined the team the last couple days, and yeah, I'm hoping to play a part in tomorrow, for sure."
Thursday marks the third and final Group D match, against last-place Türkiye at SoFi Stadium. Having already clinched first place and a Round-of-32 assignment July 1 in Santa Clara, California, the U.S. has nothing substantial to play for.
For Pulisic, though, the game could provide an opportunity to gain competitive minutes before the knockout stage begins next week. He said he would discuss his status and possible time limitations with the coaching and medical staff.
"Obviously, [there's] not a good chance I'll probably go and play 90 [minutes] right away after you come back and miss a game, but we'll see," he said.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino said Pulisic is "available. Then we need to decide if it's possible to play from the beginning or be on the bench and have the possibility to maybe play in the second half."
Pulisic has not played much since the beginning of May: three substitute appearances for AC Milan and no more than 62 minutes in three U.S. roles spanning friendlies and the World Cup. If he were to sit out again Thursday, he would have logged just 45 minutes in 24 days leading to the round of 32.
Pulisic played down such a situation, saying, "I don't think that's enough time to lose sharpness. I've been touching the ball every day and whatnot. I'm working a lot. Get a couple training sessions in, I'd say I'll feel ready."
AdvertisementAdvertisementHe had played a starring role in the 4-1 victory over Paraguay on June 12 but left at halftime after aggravating a left calf injury. He worked almost exclusively with athletic trainers last week and revealed Wednesday that he had been close to returning for the 2-0 win over Australia last Friday in Seattle.
"I was pushing, and I was really close to trying to be available for the last game, for sure," he said.
Scratched from the active roster, Pulisic watched from the bench as the U.S. won consecutive World Cup matches for the first time since 1930.
"It was obviously a different set of emotions, for sure, not being able to play, but I enjoyed just being on the sideline, being around the team," he said. "I wanted to be there and just still living that World Cup game. I obviously just couldn't be happier and prouder of how the guys handled that whole situation. I had faith in them."
AdvertisementAdvertisementIn Pulisic's place, Ricardo Pepi partnered with Folarin Balogun on the frontline.
This week, Pulisic rejoined his teammates for daily training sessions at Great Park Sports Complex.
With no consequences against Türkiye and four starters carrying yellow cards — another would result in a one-game suspension — Pochettino is expected to make numerous lineup changes.
"The easy answer is for them not to play from the beginning," he said. He did not rule out using them at some point in the match, but from a practical standpoint, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams and Folarin Balogun will remain on the bench.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThere is also the matter of resting players who have played most, if not all, minutes in the first two matches.
"Everyone on this team is ready to step up, so I feel like it would just be a normal thing for us" if Pochettino turns to a reserve-heavy lineup, Pulisic said. "We're going to support and push everyone the same way, whoever gets the opportunity tomorrow to play, whatever the decisions may be."
He added, "I see what this team can do. We have depth. We have really strong players in a lot of positions. I don't need to do everything. It's such a strong team. Everyone has each other's backs. That's what's so fun about it."
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
