USA meet Australia in a top of Group D showdown at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Victory would see either USA or Australia secure their qualification for the knockout stages with a game to spare.
Team News
Christian Pulisic is set to be available for USA after he recovered from a minor calf injury suffered in their 4-1 victory over Paraguay.
Australia have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 2-0 win over Turkey.
When is Kick-Off?
USA host Australia at Lumen Field, Seattle, on Friday 19 June at 12pm PDT (8pm BST), live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is USA’s first World Cup meeting against Australia.
- Australia have won just one of their four previous meetings against USA in all competitions which came in friendlies (W1, D1, L2).
- 10 of USA’s 16 shots against Paraguay were produced by Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman, who both registered five shots each.
- Connor Metcalfe produced more crosses than his Australia teammates in their win over Turkey, having produced five crosses in the entire match.
Prediction
Having produced a ruthless clinical attacking display to comfortably dispatch Paraguay, USA now will need to show some patience because this test is likely to be different against a more counter-attack minded team, but I do expect them to be the more dominant in possession.
Australia though can’t be underestimated because of how well defensively organised they were against Turkey with a clinical edge on their counter attacks, which is something that they will need to replicate if they’re to upset the tournament co-hosts.
The first goal and immediate response from both teams therefore is going to be critical but I do think that Australia will grind out a draw here.
Prediction: USA 1-1 Australia
Result: USA 2-0 Australia
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