Christian Pulisic's Bible study is an important part of his spiritual life. In the third episode of his nine-part docuseries, Pulisic is asked by a friend, 'It is what time?' He responds, 'Bible time,' as he flips through the Bible with a pencil and notepad ready. His cross necklace is always visible. Pulisic has also shared underlined Bible passages on Instagram.
Faith on Display
Weston McKennie's Instagram bio reads 'All glory to God,' and his profile picture shows him pointing to the sky with cross-shaped earrings. Defender Chris Richards has spoken about praying with Crystal Palace teammates before games and conducting Bible study. Goalkeeper Matt Freese, a devout Catholic, mentioned meeting Pulisic in a Bible study session after joining the USMNT.
Coaching Influence
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino, a Catholic, often wears a bracelet depicting a patron saint. When he managed Espanyol in 2009, he hiked to Montserrat to pray for the club's survival, which worked.
Diverse Beliefs
At the last World Cup, the roster included Walker Zimmerman, son of a pastor; Yunus Musah, a Muslim who fasted during Ramadan; and DeAndre Yedlin, a Buddhist who led teammates in post-match meditations. This marks a shift from past teams, where players like Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard, and Jozy Altidore rarely spoke about faith. Landon Donovan appears atheist.
A New Dynamic
The USMNT's openness about religion coincides with a political climate where Christian nationalism is promoted. While players' expressions seem sincere, they reflect a broader trend of athletes feeling freer to share beliefs. However, leveraging a World Cup platform for evangelism raises questions about national sporting neutrality. Past examples, like Team USA's militarism at the World Baseball Classic, have been criticized. Yet, this confidence may help the team connect with fans. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the nation will learn more about their convictions than ever before.
