As the 2026 World Cup draws closer, all eyes are on Christian Pulisic—and now, he's officially on the cover of Time Magazine. The U.S. men's national team star graces the May 25 issue, hitting newsstands on May 15, just weeks before the tournament kicks off across the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.

At 27, Pulisic is already the most influential American men's soccer player in history. Now, he's set to lead the USMNT on home soil, aiming to rally the nation behind the sport in a way only a World Cup can. It's a moment that feels tailor-made for a player of his caliber—but it comes with its own set of challenges.

For one, Pulisic is navigating a rare scoring drought. After netting 10 goals in the first half of the season with AC Milan, he hasn't found the back of the net since December. On the international stage, his last goal for the USMNT came in 2024. Yet, when pressed about the slump in his Time interview, Pulisic was characteristically unfazed. "I plan on scoring goals," he said. When asked if he had a message for anyone concerned, he replied: "Such bad questions. I'm not concerned about it, man. You have to have that kind of delusional confidence."

Off the pitch, Pulisic's personal life has also drawn attention. His recent breakup with professional golfer Alexa Melton has been a topic of public discussion, with Melton clarifying on social media that Pulisic was "not a cheater" after speculation arose about his dating app activity. While it's hard to link off-field matters to on-field performance, fans have noted the timing of his dip in form.

Still, Pulisic remains the face of American soccer heading into the biggest tournament of his career. With his confidence intact and the World Cup stage set, he's ready to prove that the best is yet to come—both for himself and for a nation eager to embrace the beautiful game.