World Cup 2026 co-hosts United States will aim to take another step towards qualification when they take on Australia on Friday at 8pm (UK time).
United States were in stunning form in their opening game of the World Cup, beating Paraguay 4-1. Mauricio Pochettino’s side looked to be in top form and will be aiming to follow that victory up with another convincing win.
Australia were also on the right end of their result, although it was more of a shock. The came out 2-0 winners against Turkey, one of the supposed dark horses of the tournament. It was a win that gives the Socceroos a great chance of progression to the knockout stages.
This fixture has some added spice following those results, with the victor in this contest taking total control of Group D and almost assuring themselves of topping the group.
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United States vs Australia team news
United States team news
Mauricio Pochettino opted to play Matt Freese in goal, starting ahead of the established Matt Turner. He’s likely to continue there this week, with Pochettino trusting his recent form.
Alex Freeman looks set to start at right-back. Chris Richards and Tim Ream will be the centre-back partnership, with Antonee Robinson getting the nod ahead of Joe Scally at left-back once more. The central midfield duo of Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie pick themselves, as does the attacking pairing of Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman.
There’s a question to be had about the attack, though. Christian Pulisic is a guaranteed starter, and will continue to lead the line if fit. But Gio Reyna will hope to get a chance to start, ahead of the injured captain. That was the substitution made at half-time against Paraguay, eventually leading to the USA’s fourth goal.
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Australia team news
Tony Popovic made a massive call in goal for Australia’s World Cup opener. The manager backed 22-year-old Patrick Beach over veteran captain Mathew Ryan. After a stunning eight-save performance, Beach will almost certainly keep the gloves this week.
A youthful back three of Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, and Cameron Burgess protected Beach brilliantly. Popovic deployed Jacob Italiano and Jordan Bos as wing-backs to stretch the play. In midfield, Paul Okon-Engstler earned a shock start alongside Jackson Irvine. That bold choice relegated regular starter Connor Metcalfe to the bench initially.
Up front, Nestory Irankunda justified his selection emphatically. The teenage sensation scored a brilliant opener before making way on the hour mark. He will start again, likely flanked by Mohamed Toure and Metcalfe. Metcalfe’s stunning late strike against Turkey surely earns him a starting berth against the hosts.
United States vs Australia predicted lineups
United States (4-2-3-1): Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; Adams, McKennie; Tillman, Reyna, Balogun; Pulisic.
Australia (3-4-3): Beach; Circati, Souttar, Burgess; Italiano, Okon-Engstler, Irvine, Bos; Irankunda, Touré, Metcalfe.
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