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The United States opened its 2026 World Cup run in impressive fashion, offering hope that a deep tournament run could be imminent. For that to happen, however, they'll almost certainly need their star attacker back on the pitch.
Christian Pulisic left the USMNT's match against Paraguay at halftime with an apparent injury. While he initially appeared to have a chance to return for Friday's matchup with Australia, that was not the case. Coach Mauricio Pochettino said Pulisic was unavailable for his team's second World Cup match.
Details on Pulisic's injury remain limited, but it is known that he's dealing with a calf injury. When he returns will depend on the severity of the issue.
Here's a look at the range of calf injuries Pulisic could be dealing with.
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Christian Pulisic injury details
Pulisic was originally subbed off during the United States' World Cup-opening win over Paraguay after being kicked in the calf. Pochettino later said that Pulisic had previously been kicked in the calf in practice two days earlier, and his substitution was "precautionary."
After the win, Pulisic also kept concern minimal, saying he hoped the injury was "nothing."
"Just the back of my leg, my calf area," Pulisic said. "But I've had similar things before and I'm staying positive. I don't think it's anything at all."
Still, after appearing in a pre-practice huddle with a sleeve on his injured calf Thursday but not participating with the rest of the team, Pulisic was officially ruled out of Friday's match vs. Australia. Considering his status was up in the air for that game, however, it's not expected to be a long-term injury, despite the exact nature of the calf injury not being known.
Pochettino told reporters Thursday that he expects Pulisic to play against Turkey in the United States' group-stage finale, another sign that his calf injury shouldn't linger too long — although if that game proves inconsequential to the USMNT's chances of topping Group B, then Pulisic could be held out for precautionary reasons again.
MORE: Everything to know about Christian Pulisic's injury status
Calf injury recovery time in soccer
Obviously, recovery time for a calf injury depends on just what that calf injury is. Because soccer involves a ton of sprinting, explosiveness and change of direction, however, calf injuries can be tricky.
Pulisic isn't expected to be dealing with anything significantly concerning, most likely a strain of some sort, or even a more severe bruise from the reported kick to his calf. Per Barca Innovation Hub, around 14.4 to 29% of all muscle injuries in soccer are calf strains.
Moderate-to-severe contusions/bruises can take four-to-six weeks to fully heal, per Cleveland Clinic. More mild contusions can take under a week to heal.
If Pulisic is dealing with a strain, his recovery could be a bit more complicated than any other bruise/contusion.
Calf strain grades
A calf strain happens when a person overstretches the muscles in the back of their lower leg, with treatment typically entailing just rest, ice, compression and elevation, per Cleveland Clinic. However, those strains can range in severity, like most injuries.
It's unknown whether Pulisic is dealing with a calf strain, but if he is, here's a look at the range of recovery timelines for the injury.
Grade 1 (mild)
Considering Pulisic wasn't ruled out vs. Australia until shortly before the match, if he is dealing with a calf strain, it is likely a Grade 1 situation.
A Grade 1 calf strain can take 1-3 weeks to fully heal after some minor overstretching in the calf or microscopic tears, leading to discomfort when walking but more pain when running at full speed.
A Grade 1 strain, especially after some rest and recovery, can have a player back in action fairly soon.
Grade 2 (moderate)
A Grade 2 calf strain, meanwhile, carries a 3-to-6 week timeline. It's a partial tear in the calf muscles, with a sudden pain indicating the tear and visible swelling and bruising.
With Grade 2 strains, walking can also be far more difficult than Grade 1.
Grade 3 (severe)
The most severe calf strains are Grade 3, meaning there is a complete rupture or a severe tear in the muscle. These injuries typically result in full disability of the area, then sometimes requiring surgery to repair.
Pulisic isn't expected to be dealing with an injury this severe, considering USMNT didn't rule him out until 90 minutes before their match vs. Australia.
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Other soccer players with calf injuries
There is another huge soccer star who's been sidelined with a calf injury at the 2026 World Cup: Neymar.
While the 34-year-old age's certainly plays a role, he was recently ruled out of Brazil's second World Cup match because of a lingering calf injury that he initially sustained on May 17 while playing for Santos. He hasn't practiced in a full session throughout the World Cup so far, but has been engaging in partial training more recently.
Pulisic, 27, has the age advantage when considering his situation vs. Neymar's, and based on USNMT's comments, he isn't expected to be out as long as Neymar has been for Brazil.
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