United States star Christian Pulisic acknowledged feeling pressure as the 2026 World Cup approaches, but emphasized he's ready for the challenge. The AC Milan attacker spoke at a news conference in Marietta, Georgia, as the U.S. team prepares for friendlies against Belgium and Portugal before their June 12 opener against Paraguay.

Pulisic, who has been the face of the USMNT for years, said the pressure of playing in a home World Cup is something he's accustomed to handling. The 27-year-old has experience playing for top clubs like Chelsea and Milan, plus previous World Cup experience from Qatar 2022. He stressed that the expectations don't faze him, particularly given his career trajectory.

The U.S. co-hosts the tournament with Canada and Mexico, with their opening match set for Inglewood, California. Pulisic emphasized that while pressure exists, he has the support of teammates like Weston McKennie, coaching staff, and fans across the country. He added that he maintains high personal standards and focuses on what matters most to him.