'I plan to score goals': USMNT's Christian Pulisic confident he'll end scoring drought at 2026 FIFA World Cup

Team USA midfielder Weston McKennie, who's also playing for Milan's rival Juventus FC, is confident Pulisic will deliver on his promise. 

"He's saving them all for the World Cup," McKennie joked. 

"He just tells me, 'Man, I just feel like whenever I've been in this moment in my life, there's just something big that happens. I feel like something big is going to happen for us,'" McKennie continued. "I don't think any of us are worried whether he's going to be firing on all cylinders. Because at the end of the day, he always wants to do what's best for us, for him, for the fans, for the country. It may not be clicking for him right now. But I have no doubt it will be at the World Cup." 

American fans hope McKennie's right. The United States — which hosts the 2026 World Cup — needs a big tournament from Pulisic to change its luck on the international soccer stage. 

Team USA failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup and hasn't advanced past the Round of 16 since 2002. Despite that, optimism remains for the squad. As of Thursday, FIFA ranks the USMNT No. 16 in the world. Pulisic, who has scored 32 goals in 84 caps for the national team, rediscovering his groove would help the team deliver on his promise. 

He'll aim to end his goal drought in Milan's next match against Atalanta on Sunday (Paramount+, 2:45 p.m. ET). After that, the club faces Genoa (May 17) and Cagliari (May 24). If he can't do it in Serie A, Pulisic will try again in Team USA's opening match against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles (Fox, 9 p.m. ET).