USA vs Australia XIs: Confirmed team news, predicted lineups and injury latest for World Cup 2026 | OneFootball

Co-hosts take on Socceroos on matchday two

The United States take on Australia in the second of their Group D matches at World Cup 2026.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side began their campaign in perfect fashion, demolishing Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles, California in their opening match.

Australia stunned Turkey in their first game, beating the heavily-fancied dark horses 2-0 at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Now, they take on the co-hosts in their own back yard - Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, to be exact - on matchday two.

The US could well keep things as they are after such a promising opening last week.

Stars: Folarin Balogun and Antonee Robinson

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They cut through the Paraguayans with ease, as former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun bagged a brace to open his account for the summer.

He will lead the line again, potentially by Christian Pulisic and Sergino Dest, with Juventus’ bustling midfielder tucked in behind as the box-crashing No10.

There are question marks over former Chelsea winger Pulisic’s fitness, after he was substituted at half time against Paraguay, having laid on an assist.

He has been training separately as he deals with a calf strain, and Pochettino has a decision as to whether to risk him.

Giovanni Reyna, the Borussia Monchengladbach forward, is an option to come on the left flank, having netted a sumptuous fourth goal with the outside of his boot on matchday one.

Pulisic was replaced by the line-breaker Sebastian Berhalter in California, but there could also be a temptation to play former PSG and Celtic man Timothy Weah, now of Marseille, on the flank. Another option is Leeds United’s energetic Brenden Aaronson, who could act more as a wide playmaker.

In the engine room, it is likely to remain MalikTillmann, who offers energy, physicality and a silkiness with his passing range. Tyler Adams is the destroyer next to him, breaking up attacks.

In the back four, former Fulham colleagues Antonee Robinson and Tim Ream link up once more on the left at full-back and centre-back respectively.

Alex Freeman has plenty of licence to bomb on on the overlap down the right, with Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards sweeping up behind him.

As for Tony Popovic’s Socceroos, they are likely to keep the same side that shocked Turkey.

Watford’s Nestory Irankunda is their star man off the left flank, and he netted a stunner in the opening game.

Shining light: Nestory Irankunda

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The man on the opposite flank, workhorse Conor Metcalfe, will also be retained,

The Aussies’ back five against Turkey remained resolute, and that was in part down to centre-backs Harry Souttar and Cameron Burgess, who are well-known names in the EFL.

Jordan Bos and Jacob Italiano both have licence to maraud forward and maintain width as wing-backs when Irankunda and Metcalfe move inside.

Predicted USA XI (4-2-3-1): Reese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; Adams, Tillman; Dest, McKennie, Reyna; Balogun

Doubt: Pulisic

Predicted Australia XI (5-4-1): Beach; Italiano, Circati, Souttar, Burgess, Bos; Metcalfe, O’Neill, Okon-Engstler, Irankunda; Toure

Date and time: 8pm BST on Friday, June 19 2026

Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle