The United States men\u2019s national team heads into its second 2026 World Cup group stage match against Australia with a golden opportunity to put one foot firmly in the knockout stage. <\/p>\n
Netherlands and Sweden face off in Houston Stadium for their second Group F match.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Full time:\u00a0USA 2 – 0 Australia<\/p>\n
Alex Freeman 43′<\/p>\n
USA 2 – 0 Australia<\/p>\n
**<\/p>\n
Cameron Burgess 11′ <\/p>\n
USA 1 – 0 Australia<\/p>\n
**<\/p>\n
The United States will be without star forward Christian Pulisic for Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D clash against Australia.<\/p>\n
The AC Milan attacker was substituted at half-time during the USA’s opening match against Paraguay last week. Although both Pulisic and head coach Mauricio Pochettino initially described the change as a precautionary measure, the injury has now forced the American captain out of the squad entirely for the Australia encounter.<\/p>\n
Despite Pulisic’s absence, the USA starting XI still features Serie A representation through Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie. Former Milan full-back Sergi\u00f1o Dest also retains his place in Pochettino’s side.<\/p>\n
Australia, meanwhile, have included Parma defender Alessandro Circati in their starting line-up. Former Italy youth international Cristian Volpato begins the match on the bench.<\/p>\n
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 BST.<\/p>\n
Confirmed Line-ups<\/p>\n
USA (4-2-3-1):
Freese; Freeman, Ream, Richards, A. Robinson; Adams, McKennie; Dest, Tillman, Balogun; Pepi.<\/p>\n
Substitutes:
Turner, Brady, Trusty, M. Robinson, Arfsten, McKenzie, Scally, Reyna, Berhalter, Roldan, Aaronson, Wright, Weah, Zendejas.<\/p>\n
Australia (5-4-1):
Beach; Italiano, Souttar, Burgess, Bos, Circati; Leckie, O’Neill, Okon-Enstler, Velupillay; Toure.<\/p>\n
Substitutes:
Ryan, Izzo, Degenek, Geria, Trewin, Behich, Herrington, Metcalfe, Devlin, Irvine, Hrustic, Mabil, Irankunda, Volpato, Yengi.<\/p>\n
**<\/p>\n
Both teams enter the high-stakes Group D clash sitting on three points following impressive opening-match performances. The USMNT dominated Paraguay in a -41 routing in Los Angeles, while the Socceroos pulled off a stunning 2-0 upset against Turkiye in Vancouver.<\/p>\n
However, a major question mark hangs over the American squad ahead of kickoff at Seattle’s famously loud Lumen Field.<\/p>\n
Star winger Christian Pulisic\u2019s status remains up in the air after he was substituted at halftime during the opening victory. With yellow card accumulation also a factor\u2014midfielder Tyler Adams is one caution away from a suspension\u2014head coach Mauricio Pochettino<\/a> may be forced into some strategic lineup rotation in front of what is expected to be a historic, packed home crowd.<\/p>\n