USA Thrash Paraguay 4-1 as Pulisic Shines in World Cup Opener

United States captain Christian Pulisic has downplayed concerns over a possible injury after being replaced at halftime during his side’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.

Speaking after the game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the 27-year-old AC Milan star said the substitution was purely precautionary and expressed confidence that he would be available for upcoming matches.

“I took a bit of a knock in the first half, so we decided to be cautious,” Pulisic told reporters. “I’m hopeful it’s nothing serious and that I’ll be fine in the next few days.”

Why Was Pulisic Replaced?

Pulisic was one of the standout performers in a dominant first-half display by the United States. He contributed an assist and played a key role in Paraguay’s own goal through a clever combination with teammate Weston McKennie.

Despite his influence on the game, he did not return for the second half after experiencing discomfort in the back of his left leg.

The forward later explained that the issue was around his calf area but insisted he was not overly concerned.

“It’s around my left calf. I’ve dealt with similar knocks before, so I’m staying positive. I really don’t think it’s anything major,” he said.

US head coach Mauricio Pochettino echoed those sentiments, revealing that the decision was made to avoid any unnecessary risk.

“We didn’t want to take any chances,” Pochettino said.

Focus Turns to Australia Clash

The United States will be hoping their star man recovers quickly ahead of their next Group D fixture against Australia in Seattle. They will then conclude the group stage against Türkiye in Los Angeles on June 25.

Pulisic emphasized that while the opening win was encouraging, the team remains focused on the challenges ahead.

“It’s a fantastic way to start the tournament, but there’s still a long way to go and plenty of work left to do,” he said.

The victory moved the United States to the top of Group D with three points, while Paraguay dropped to the bottom of the standings. Australia and Türkiye are scheduled to face each other later in the group.

Under the tournament’s expanded format, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage, which begins with the Round of 32.