Christian Pulisic returns from injury as substitute against Turkey in World Cup group stage finale

Christian Pulisic is back on the pitch. The US men’s national team captain made his return as a second-half substitute against Turkey on June 25, entering the match in the 58th minute after missing time with a left calf injury sustained during the World Cup opener against Paraguay.

It was Pulisic’s first appearance since that opening match, where he logged just 45 minutes before being forced off. He sat out entirely for the group stage match against Australia, leaving fans and coaching staff holding their breath about his availability for the knockout rounds beginning July 1.

A dead rubber with real stakes for Pulisic

Here’s the thing about this match: it didn’t matter for the standings. The US had already locked up first place in Group D before kickoff at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Both the USMNT and Turkey rolled out rotated lineups, treating the fixture more like a glorified training session than a must-win contest.

Pulisic’s 45 minutes against Paraguay and his substitute appearance against Turkey gave him roughly 75 to 80 minutes of total tournament action heading into the bracket stage.

The bigger picture for the USMNT

This World Cup carries enormous weight for US Soccer. As co-hosts alongside Canada and Mexico, the 2026 tournament is the first to feature 48 teams, an expansion from the traditional 32-team format.

Pulisic is central to that ambition. He’s the team’s most recognizable player internationally, a regular starter for AC Milan in Serie A, and the creative engine that makes the USMNT’s attack function at its highest level.

What this means for fans and the sports-crypto intersection

Prediction markets have seen growing activity around World Cup outcomes, and a player of Pulisic’s caliber returning from injury shifts odds and engagement in measurable ways. Sports NFTs tied to marquee World Cup moments represent another area where Pulisic’s return carries relevance, with media coverage increasingly highlighting platforms like Coinbase connecting fans and investors to the sporting world through NFT trading cards and prediction markets.

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