Mexico became the first country to book their spot in the World Cup 2026 knockout stages after they beat South Korea on day eight, now fellow co-hosts the United States have the chance to join their neighbours in the last-32.
The US can do just that if they beat Australia in day nine’s first match at 8pm (UK time) on Friday night, and then Paraguay win or draw against Turkey in the other Group D game at 4am on Friday morning.
In between those clashes, the spotlight diverts to Group C where Scotland can make history by progressing from the group stages if make it back-to-back wins when they tackle Morocco at 11pm on Thursday, before Brazil seek their first win of the tournament against Haiti at 1.30am on Friday morning.
Stats you might see on Day 9
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United States vs Australia stats
- United States snapshot stat: The Stars and Stripes could win back-to-back games at a World Cup for the first time since 1930, when they finished third.
- Australia snapshot stat: The Socceroos are looking to win two games at a single World Cup for only the second time in their history.
As mentioned, the United States could become the second co-hosts to qualify for the knockout stages if they beat Australia, and Turkey lose to Paraguay. The Stars and Stripes will be full of confidence after equalling their biggest ever World Cup win in their opening 4-1 thrashing of Paraguay.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side now head to Seattle – a city in which they’ve won each of their last seven games – looking to become the first US team to win back-to-back matches at a World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1930, when they finished third.
Australia upset Turkey 2-0 in their opening game, which gives them a great opportunity to reach the knockout stages for the third time. The Socceroos have won three of their last four games at the World Cup, and head to Seattle looking to win two games at a single World Cup for only the second time in their history, having previously achieved this feat for the first time in Qatar four years ago.
Scotland vs Morocco stats
- Scotland snapshot stat: If Scotland win they will progress through to the knockout stages for the first time ever, ending a record run of eight group stage exits.
- Morocco snapshot stat: If the Atlas Lions avoid defeat they will have gone six consecutive group stage matches unbeaten; a record for an African country.
Scotland marked their return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence by securing their first victory at the tournament since 1990, edging past Haiti 1-0 in Boston, which was their eighth win in their last 11 competitive games.
Morocco, who held Brazil to a 1-1 draw, will likely represent a much tougher challenge for Steve Clarke’s men, however, the Tartan Army head into the match knowing that a historic win at the same stadium will see them progress through to the knockout stages for the first time ever, ending a record run of eight group stage exits.
Morocco, who beat Scotland 3-0 at France 1998, will perhaps count themselves unfortunate not to have taken all three points against five-time winners Brazil following an excellent performance in New York.
While the Atlas Lions will be targeting a win against the Scots, should they avoid defeat they will become the first African side to go six straight group stage games unbeaten at a World Cup, which would stretch across three tournaments: 2026, 2022, and 2018.
Brazil vs Haiti stats
- Brazil snapshot stat: Brazil have won all three previous meetings with Haiti (4-0, 6-0 and 7-1) and need just two more goals to become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorers once again.
- Haiti snapshot stat: The Caribbean side could become only the fourth country to lose their opening five World Cup games after Mexico (9), El Salvador (6), and Canada (6).
Brazil haven’t failed to win one of their opening group stage matches since 1978 and while they weren’t at the races against Morocco, they will now be expected to get their first win under their belt, in emphatic style, having beaten Haiti 4-0, 6-0, and 7-1 in the three meetings.
Germany (239 goals) moved ahead of Brazil (238) as the World Cup’s highest-scoring country after their 7-1 victory over Curacao, but Brazil need just two goals against Haiti to reclaim top spot in this particular table.
Haiti put up a spirited fight in their defeat to Scotland, during which they had 15 shots and 53.7% possession. The Grenadiers are out at 28/1 to beat Brazil in what would be the greatest World Cup upset ever, while they are 11/1 to pick up their first ever point at the tournament, having lost each of their four games so far.
If they do lose, they will become only the fourth country to lose their opening five World Cup games after Mexico (9), El Salvador (6), and Canada (6).
Turkey vs Paraguay stats
- Turkey snapshot stat: Turkey will once again go in search of their first World Cup win since beating Senegal in the quarter-finals back in 2002.
- Paraguay snapshot stat: Could lose their opening two group stage games for only the second time in their nine appearances at World Cups.
Turkey and Paraguay endured poor starts to the tournament. Paraguay were thrashed 4-1 by the US and Turkey lost 2-0 to Australia.
One of them could now be set for an early exit on day nine.
Paraguay will be eliminated if they lose and Australia avoid defeat against the United States earlier in the day. Turkey face a similarly perilous situation, with defeat sending them home should the Americans pick up at least a point.
Turkey had a whopping 30 shots against Australia but simply couldn’t find a way through. Still, they can look back on an eight game unbeaten run before that as they go in search of their first World Cup win in 24 years since they beat Senegal in the 2002 quarter-finals en route to finishing third.
Paraguay’s last win at the tournament came in 2010 when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa. They’ve only ever lost their opening two group stage games once in eight previous appearances (2006).
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