The United States Men’s National Team opened the 2026 World Cup on the right foot, registering a stirring victory over Paraguay (4-1). The grind in Group D continues as Mauricio Pochettino looks to secure a place in the knockout phase, although a loss would be far from a disaster with a potential three sides advancing. Australia is next on the schedule, with the Oceanic-by-way-of-Asia squad seeking to improve on program-best Round of 16 finishes at the 2006 and 2022 competitions. Lumen Field in Seattle,
Washington – a 72,000-seat multi-purpose stadium with a temporary, stitched, hybrid natural grass surface – hosts the fixture.
This is the fifth all-time meeting between the two nations, with the USMNT holding a 2-1-1 advantage and claiming the most recent result, an October 2025 friendly (2-1). Ranked 27th internationally by FIFA, Australia reached the 2026 World Cup by ending at second in Group C of the Asian Football Confederation qualifying set-up with a 5-1-4 record, competing against Bahrain (0-1, 2-2), Indonesia (0-0, 5-1), China (3-1, 2-0), Japan (1-1, 1-0), and Saudi Arabia (0-0, 2-1). In 2026, the Socceroos participated in the FIFA Series with positive results against Cameroon (1-0) and Curaçao (5-1) and registered a friendly defeat and a draw to Mexico (0-1) and Switzerland (1-1), respectively. The tournament opened with a victory over Türkiye (2-0).
Stepping up after Graham Arnold’s poor start to qualifying, Tony Popovic was considered “the best possible candidate” and hired in September of 2024, promptly steering his nation to a World Cup berth. The 52-year-old retired centre-back was on the Australia squad that reached the Round of 16 at the 2006 competition and amassed managerial experience at a variety of club sides before jumping to the international level. He expressed being “satisfied” with the draw, stating that his side will “be very different for opponents.”
Popovic named a 26-player roster for the World Cup. The domestic A-League is home to five of the call-ups, while 16 compete in Europe and three are on the books of Major League Soccer clubs. Notable absences include Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Max Balard, Ryan Teague, Martin Boyle, Riley McGree, and Mitch Duke.
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GOALKEEPERS (3): Mathew Ryan (Levante), Paul Izzo (Randers), Patrick Beach (Melbourne City)
DEFENDERS (9): Miloš Degenek (APOEL), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Jacob Italiano (Grazer AK), Jordan Bos (Feyenoord), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata), Kai Trewin (New York City), Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Harry Souttar (Leicester City), Cameron Burgess (Swansea City)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Connor Metcalfe (FC St. Pauli), Ajdin Hrustić (Heracles Almelo), Aiden O’Neill (New York City), Cammy Devlin (Heart of Midlothian), Jackson Irvine (FC St. Pauli), Paul Okon-Engstler (Sydney FC)
FORWARDS (7): Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Mohamed Touré (Norwich City), Awer Mabil (Castellón), Nestory Irankunda (Watford), Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory), Tete Yengi (Machida Zelvia)
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Popovic typically sets up his side in a 3-4-2-1 formation that has been described as “dynamic,” with players hitting “fast passes between the lines” and seeking out opportunities to counter-press. With a fluid and changing group of attackers, he directs through the wide channels and makes use of the advanced wing-backs when attempting to spring the transition game. The squad is strong on set pieces and plays with a “physical aggression” of “flying tackles and bone-rattling duels” that is considered part of the Australian DNA. The defense is “very well organized and very aggressive” and “doesn’t give much away.”
Popovic made perhaps the biggest move of the tournament, dropping captain Mathew Ryan for the Turkey match and instead going with the relatively untested Patrick Beach, who had a mere two caps prior to the World Cup. The 22-year-old Melbourne City goalkeeper repaid the manager’s faith with eight saves in the 2-0 victory, making several fantastic stops with a seemingly unshakeable confidence. Standing at six feet, two inches tall, he keeps things pretty simple by refusing to force catches, avoiding coming off his line, and largely staying out of the build-up phase, with a mere 14 successful passes in the opener. Most importantly, there was no “panic” in his game when called into action by staying safe, organizing on several dangerous free kicks, and displaying intelligent decision-making.
Cameron Burgess is a clearance machine and also manages to create more than his fair share of scoring chances, yet his heading numbers are noticeably soft for someone who stands at six feet, four inches tall. The 30-year-old Swansea City centre-back is considered a “no-nonsense” presence with “an excellent ability to play the ball on his left foot,” who also can be relied upon for the occasional goal. Recovered from his December 2024 Achilles tear that kept him out of action for 15 flips of the calendar, the six-seven Harry Souttar should feature, as his size grants an “obvious advantage.” Quicker than expected, the Aberdonian pops up in every possible zone and can present an insurmountable obstacle, particularly for those who attempt the fool’s errand of going back to goal on him. Alessandro Circati of Parma is the key target on corners and set pieces and will also dominate in the air and on the ground when defending, stopping opponents with his reaching sliding challenges. His timing and body control are close to perfect, enabling him to occupy the difficult outside spot in the trio that requires contesting and often chasing down pacey wingers. Considered a late bloomer who returned to the program after an eight-year gap, Jason Geria had an up-and-down first season with Albirex Niigata but has a “reliability and energy on the field” that makes him a favorite. Front Page Football describes him as “crucial” with a high success rate in challenges and a shutdown artist in the one-on-one while also demonstrating an “underrated technical ability” that “allowed for a more fluid build-up.” APOEL’s Miloš Degenek performed “an admirable job during qualification” and provides a physical style replete with shot blocks and regular headers, having done “remarkably well,” according to the manager. He has an innate understanding of where to be in the action in order to cause the most disruption to the opponent’s plans, as his impact goes beyond statistics by introducing chaos into proceedings.
Jordan Bos of Feyenoord should be familiar to USMNT fans after scoring in last October’s friendly, as his high-flying dynamism sees him cutting through multiple lines and producing stellar finishes. Target Scouting describes him as “almost acting like a deep-lying playmaker” who thrives in a “possession-based style,” makes “solid recovery runs,” and avoids being “exploited by wingers.” Grazer AK’s Jacob Italiano has the pace and the stamina to make full-field runs after playing some of his hard-nosed defense, slamming into attackers at full force to end their progress. As expected in the modern game, he is more than capable of taking the reins and creating chances with dipping crosses and will also slide in to the back post for the occasional headed finish. Aziz Behich was named the 2024/2025 PFA Men’s Footballer of the Year due to reaching great heights for club and country, going above and beyond his reputation as a “reliable, hard-working defender.” The 35-year-old Melbourne City fullback will beat opponents off the dribble and creates chances once reaching the attacking third, maximizing his limited number of crosses per match.
There is rarely a lineup without Aiden O’Neill, who is “the preferred option based on his ability to win the ball, defend in transition, cover large areas, and link play with his attacking teammates.” The 27-year-old New York City FC midfielder typically lines up in the deeper areas but will make successful forays into the final third with a low, driven shot from distance and a nose for finishing crosses. Paul Okon-Engstler of Sydney FC has come on strong since making his debut last November and appeared in every lead-up friendly, giving an outlet to the centre-backs and connecting the entire formation. The Belgium-born metronome is constantly on the move in order to alleviate pressure and sets the tone with a series of short-range distributions, but there is the capacity for the long ball over the top. Thriving in chaos, St. Pauli’s Jackson Irvine has a streaky scoring touch that manifested at the crucial juncture of qualifying with a brace against Indonesia and the eventual game-winner against China. He is dominant in the air at six feet, two inches tall, makes crucial runs through the opponent’s lines through sheer force of will, and has a preference for swinging the ball to the streaking wing-back. After competing with Italy at the youth level, Cristian Volpato is the prodigal son and could be a key figure during the World Cup as a high-energy option and risk taker. Based on limited experience in the squad, his role appears to be to make openings with daring one-on-one ventures through the lines and create chances with crafty passes.
After returning from “a long-term injury,” St. Pauli’s Connor Metcalfe “truly arrived on the international scene” during qualifying, scored a crucial goal against Saudi Arabia, and achieved success with his dribbling during progression. He can line up in a variety of roles and “helps the team in build-up play, defending, and launching counter-attacks” while also demonstrating “power, pace, and an eye for creativity.” Nestory Irankunda of Watford is lethal on free kicks with his bending, curling delivery, which is only slightly more dangerous than his speed and elusiveness with the ball at his feet. Whether in transitions or forced to create some magic from a standing position, his insatiable, rapacious need to humble opponents can only be slaked for a single moment before the next target is acquired. Nishan Velupillay has long been tipped for a move abroad but is yet to jump, having dominated A-League defenders with a fast first step, cutting moves, and a driven long-distance shot. The 25-year-old Melbourne Victory attacker can make a difference whether boxed into limited space and forced to use his craft or exhibiting his excellent speed breaking out on the counter. Back for “one last dance,” Mathew Leckie made his fourth World Cup roster after overcoming a long-term injury and hip surgery, having “impressed since his return in April” and ideally turning back the clock with crucial production. The Melburnian can step up and serve as an extra striker by playing a more central position and also crash the net on service, regularly rising above the crowd to claim headers.
Tasked to lead the line with the talismanic Mitch Duke out of the squad, Mohamed Touré of Norwich City plays a loose and physical game that sees him covering the field from touchline to touchline before swooping centrally and placing his shot or picking out a teammate with his centering pass. The Guinea-born forward has the speed and the deft, tricky dribbling that make him particularly adept at drawing fouls in dangerous areas; otherwise, beaten opponents are left watching him charge at the net. Despite having never been capped at the time, Machida Zelvia’s Tete Yengi was named to the World Cup roster and scored in his international debut against Switzerland, belying a spotty scoring record in his career that only occasionally showcases his power, finesse, and heading. The six-six journeyman has a curious quickness and is nearly impossible to stop when going back to the defender, using his long frame to carve out literal yards of space for the turn.
Despite an expanded field, Australia was likely to be the weakest opponent that the USMNT would face at the 2026 World Cup, that is, until the curious performance against Turkey. The Socceroos are experienced and present a challenge, with both sides having already met within the past calendar year and enjoying a baseline familiarity. The heated tournament environment could produce an upset for the visitors, but neutrals should expect an entertaining battle as attacking tactics appear to have taken root.
The match is scheduled for Friday, June 19th at 3:00 p.m. Eastern, 12:00 p.m. Pacific. Viewing options include FOX, Telemundo, Peacock, and FuboTV (free trial).
