With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to kick off on June 11, pressure is beginning to grow around the United States Men’s National Team.
Hosting the World Cup with Canada and Mexico has brought even more attention to the USMNT, particularly after some inconsistent results in recent friendlies.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been leading a talented USMNT group as the team prepares for one of the biggest moments in American soccer history.
But after some inconsistent results, questions have started to grow over whether Pochettino’s squad will be ready for the pressure of playing a World Cup on home soil.
One of the main figures under that spotlight is captain Christian Pulisic, who remains the face of the national team heading into the tournament.
Amid the pressure, the AC Milan winger spoke honestly about what wearing the captain’s armband means to him and the personal motivation that continues to drive him.
“As a kid, I never could have really dreamt to be in this position that I’m in,” Pulisic told Athlon Sports in an interview published on May 15.
“I feel so lucky to be here and to be doing this. It doesn’t seem real sometimes. I don’t know what to say. I feel blessed, but there’s just so much more that I want to accomplish.”
Christian Pulisic Addresses His Critics and Personal Motivations
Christian Pulisic celebrates after the Concacaf Nations League final match between Mexico and USMNT at AT&T Stadium.Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF
Pulisic has carried the expectations of American soccer for years, becoming one of the country’s most recognizable players while competing at the top level in Europe.
With the World Cup approaching, fans will once again look to him to lead the team through a difficult tournament against some of the world’s strongest sides.
MORE: Pulisic Gets Honest About USA’s World Cup Chances
The 27-year-old also made it clear that his motivation goes beyond criticism or public opinion, insisting that his focus remains on the game itself.
“Whatever people say about me, it’s at the end of the day, it’s really not why I play,” Pulisic added. “I play because I love it, and I have goals that I want to reach, and I want to do it together with my family and my sports system. I do it for all of them and that’s just how I feel about it.”
With Mauricio Pochettino leading the team and Christian Pulisic carrying the captain’s armband, expectations around the USMNT will continue to grow as the World Cup approaches.
Related: Landon Donovan Q&A: U.S. Soccer Great Analyzes USMNT’s Chances in 2026 World Cup
Related: Christian Pulisic Breaks Silence on Splitting Up With Alexa Melton
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the Soccer section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
