Christian Pulisic has been playing with some of his teammates in the United States National Team (US National Team) for almost 15 years.
That familiarity – and the bond Pulisic has formed with a self-confessed introvert – is crucial for how the United States star handles the relentless pressure of leading his team to the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
“I think it gives you that extra level of comfort. I think you also want to fight for those kind of people. I’ve played with some of these guys for so long, you don’t want to let them down.”
“You want to give them everything. You want to always support them. I think it pushes you through the tough times,” Pulisic said ahead of the final training session before playing against Paraguay on Saturday, June 13, 2026, WIB morning, in Inglewood, California.
Pulisic first met Weston McKennie at the U-14 training camp in California. Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Haji Wright were on the US squad at the 2015 U-17 World Cup.
With so many United States players now playing for European club teams, it’s easier for them to stay in touch and stay close.
Then, when they are together for a long period of time like during the World Cup which lasts a month, the level of comfort is already there.
“It’s special. No matter what happens, you go through it together, with your best friends, as you say. I think it’s the connection, the chemistry, and the bond that has allowed us to grow over the past four years, in particular,” said Adams.
In Qatar, the US squad is the second youngest in the history of the United States Soccer Federation and is the country’s first squad with more than one teenager. Joe Scally, Yunus Musah, and Giovanni Reyna are all 19 years old.
In the 2026 World Cup, the US national team is also young – an average age of around 26 years – but with deeper experience.
“I mean, it’s like a family. Obviously, a lot of us have known each other for a long time and played together for a long time. A lot of players in the 2022 World Cup and we continue to grow together,” said Pulisic.
Adams said the addition of new core players since Qatar did not change that.
“You get more new faces, add a little bit of energy and a different atmosphere, but the connection is not wavering.”
“I think that’s the most important thing. I’ll tell you what I told the team before the first game, which is enjoy the moment.”
“Be yourself. You don’t have to change anything or do anything special except play your game. In the end, that’s what’s going to get us through this,” Adams said.
After the first match against Paraguay on June 13, 2026 WIB, the US will play against Australia in Seattle on June 20, 2026 and complete the group match again in Inglewood against Turkey on June 26, 2026 morning WIB.
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