As the star of the U.S. men’s national team, Christian Pulisic struggles continue, raising the question of who might rise to the occasion ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June.
Former U.S. midfielder Dax McCarty appeared on “First Things First” to highlight that striker Folarin Balogun could be crucial for the team this summer if Pulisic’s troubles persist.
“As it concerns Balogun, I absolutely think he could be our most important player heading into this World Cup. He’s scoring goals, he’s in form, unlike Christian Pulisic with his club team. He’s playing with confidence. One of the most important things you need heading into a World Cup, especially at home, is a striker that’s in good form and is just brimming with confidence.”
— Dax McCarty
Since February 17, Balogun has netted nine goals for his club, AS Monaco, scoring in seven consecutive Ligue 1 matches. With the U.S. attack struggling, having a consistently scoring Balogun could be vital for the team when they begin their World Cup journey on June 12 against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
McCarty also pointed out that to maximize Balogun’s scoring, it’s essential to implement the right tactics and structure around him.
“He’s absolutely at the top of the depth chart for our No. 9 position, and if the structure is right behind him, we stay organized and get him chances, he is going to put the ball in the back of the net. I have no question about that.”
Balogun’s scoring surge comes at a time when Pulisic hasn’t found the net in 107 days, for both the USA and AC Milan. Although Balogun appears to be a potential leading scorer, a revival from Pulisic is still important as the tournament approaches.
“I don’t worry about Christian Pulisic and his readiness to step on the field. But as far as on the field, he’s definitely in a little bit of a goal drought right now,” said McCarty.
“As long as he stays fit and healthy going into the World Cup, he just needs one goal to gain a bit of confidence. I have no concerns about his quality heading into this tournament.”
2026 FIFA World Cup: Watching Information
The World Cup is scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across three countries, closing with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 matches will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34), with all matches available for streaming on FOX One and FOX Sports apps. Notably, a record 40 matches will be shown during primetime on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
