Christian Pulisic, the 27‑year‑old attacking midfielder who has become a face of American soccer, is set to wear the No. 10 jersey for the United States men’s national team this summer, inheriting a number that has long symbolized brilliance on the world stage.
Pulisic’s relationship with the number has been a journey. He first appeared on the senior roster in 2016 wearing No. 17, later switching to No. 11 before finally claiming the coveted No. 10 in 2017, a path that mirrors the number’s storied past.
His debut in the No. 10 came during a pre‑World Cup friendly against Senegal, where he contributed both a goal and an assist, underscoring the impact he hopes to have as the tournament approaches.
Tim Ream will captain the side, and Pulisic has already been christened ‘Captain America’ by fans eager to see the United States advance deep into the competition on home soil.
A legacy etched in numbers
The No. 10 has been worn by icons such as Landon Donovan, who famously sported the shirt at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and Claudio Reyna, who carried it through the 2002 and 2006 tournaments. Tab Ramos wore the number at the 1998 World Cup in France, while Roy Wegerle briefly held it during the 1994 edition. Bill Fiedler, a Philadelphia native who played for the Philadelphia German‑Americans, was the first to wear the USMNT’s No. 10 in an official competition, a solitary appearance in a 1936 Olympic loss to Italy in Berlin.
Beyond American shores
The number’s prestige stretches far beyond the United States. It has been emblazoned by legends like Pelé, Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, each of whom helped define what the shirt represents in the global imagination.
Home‑field hope
Pulisic will become only the second American to wear the No. 10 at a home World Cup, following in the footsteps of Roy Wegerle from 1994. The upcoming tournament will be the second time the United States hosts the event, a milestone that adds a layer of national anticipation to the squad’s preparations.
As the team gears up for the summer showcase, the blend of historic weight and youthful ambition creates a narrative that extends beyond the pitch. The players, the fans, and the broader soccer community will watch closely as Pulisic attempts to etch his own chapter into a lineage that includes some of the sport’s most revered figures.