Pulisic returns to training as USA and Netherlands prepare for World Cup last 16 showdown

American forward passed fit to face the Dutch in last 16 match at Khalifa International Stadium

Christian Pulisic of the United States, center background, attends a training session at Al-Gharafa SC Stadium, in Doha, Qatar, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. (AP Photo / Matthias Schrader)

Christian Pulisic and his United States teammates train in Doha. Getty

Christian Pulisic takes part in a training session at Al Gharafa SC in Doha. AFP

Tim Ream takes part in a USA training session at Al Gharafa SC. AFP

USA's players take part in a training session at Al Gharafa SC in Doha. AFP

USA's players take part in a training session at Al Gharafa SC in Doha. AFP

Weston McKennie takes part in a USA training session at Al Gharafa SC. AFP

Josh Sargent, Cameron Carter-Vickers and the USA squad take part in a training session. Reuters

Netherlands forward Luuk De Jong takes part in a training session at Qatar University. AFP

Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal leads a training session at Qatar University. AFP

Davy Klaassen and teammates take part in a Netherlands training session at Qatar University. AFP

Netherlands players take part in a training session at Qatar University. AFP

Virgil van Dijk takes part in a Netherlands training session at Qatar University. AFP

Noa Lang takes part in a Netherlands training session at Qatar University. AFP

Matthijs de Ligt during training with the Netherlands squad. Reuters

Memphis Depay and Virgil van Dijk during training. Reuters

Christian Pulisic looks set to be passed fit for the USA's 2022 World Cup last 16 showdown with the Netherlands, according to manager Gregg Berhalter.

Chelsea winger Pulisic, one of the US's key players, suffered a pelvic contusion while scoring the winner against Iran on Tuesday, which sent his side through to the knockout stages.

The United States camp have been cautiously optimistic that Pulisic would be fit to face the Netherlands, and Berhalter said the signs are good.

“We’re going to see him on the training field today,” the manager said. “What I think is, it looks pretty good, so we’ll have to see him today on the pitch to get confirmation of that.”

Indeed, Pulisic did train with his teammates at the Al-Gharafa SC Stadium as the United States took part in a final session ahead of taking on the Netherlands.

Over at Qatar University, the Netherlands also hit the training pitch one last time before the match at Khalifa International Stadium, and manager Louis van Gaal is expecting a tough encounter.

"The USA has demonstrated that it has an excellent team, I would even say one of the best teams, a team that is fine-tuned (but) it's nothing we can't overcome," Van Gaal said.

"The USA that is a very energetic squad, they have physically strong players and that is tough for any opponent, and you can tell from their results, but we will do everything we can to win and to beat USA, that's it."

Check out the best photos from the USA and Netherlands training sessions in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.