USMNT and Australia clash for top spot in the group

In 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D, the USMNT and Australia — both emphatic opening winners — meet at Lumen Field in Seattle on Friday for top spot in the group. After perfect starts, both want to reach for three more points.

The USMNT made a statement last week with a 4-1 win over Paraguay, a dominant display that made fans at SoFi Stadium and across the country burst with pride; there was little to fault. Mauricio Pochettino's side are ready to make another statement seven days later. In their way is an Australia side that beat Türkiye 2-0. Tony Popovic's men were on the scoresheet before the half-hour and never let up, keeping Arda Güler and Co. quiet to take second in the group, behind the USMNT only on goal difference. Australia want to avenge a 2-1 loss to the USMNT in last October's window.

According to SI.com, the USMNT could have scored even more than four against Paraguay. The attack, laden with Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman, worked together effortlessly, and there is no reason they can't recreate it in Seattle. Even if the USMNT find less joy in front of goal, they have the backing of over 69,000 fans at Lumen Field to will them to victory. Australia, though, are more than capable of keeping it close and striking in transition to destabilise the hosts.

The key stats stand out. Balogun has shown no stage fright at his first World Cup; he bagged a brace last time out and had a third ruled out for offside. By contrast, the USMNT have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine matches, and only once in their last 15 — opening the door for Australia. Popovic's side, who beat Türkiye against expectations, will play with swagger, especially if Patrick Beach delivers another top performance in goal.

For the USMNT, Pochettino won't want to disrupt the XI that dismantled Paraguay, but Pulisic's fitness is a question. The 27-year-old didn't play the second half against Paraguay after feeling calf tightness. He trained individually all week and teammates are confident he'll feature; Pochettino will decide on the day. Balogun again leads the line, with Tyler Adams anchoring midfield. For Australia, Popovic will likely keep the same XI; captain Harry Souttar leads a back three. The only player who could drop to the bench is Mohamed Touré.

SI.com predict 2-1 to the USMNT. Refereed by Germany's Felix Zwayer, the match will decide top spot in the group.

Predicted XIs
USMNT (4-2-3-1): Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; Adams, Tillman; Dest, McKenzie, Pulisic; Balogun
Australia (3-4-2-1): Beach; Circati, Souttar, Burgess; Italiano, O'Neill, Okon-Engstler, Bos; Metcalfe, Irankunda; Touré

Source: Sports Illustrated
Image: Sports Illustrated