World Cup 2026: USA vs Australia Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

The United States host Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle on Friday, with kickoff at 21:00 CAT. Both teams won their opening games to secure the three points, so this top of the table meeting in Group D will decide who takes control of the section. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

USA

Mauricio Pochettino could hardly have asked for a better start than the four goals his side put past Paraguay, with Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun leading the line superbly. In my opinion the home support in Seattle will lift the United States again, and their pace out wide through Pulisic is exactly the kind of threat that troubles a deep Australian block. Pochettino has a fully fit squad to choose from and is likely to stick with the starting group that served him well in that opener. My read on this is that the United States have too much quality and energy for the Socceroos.

Predicted Lineup: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; Tillman, Adams; Dest, McKennie, Pulisic; Balogun.

Australia

Australia were excellent in beating Turkey to nil, with Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe getting the goals and Harry Souttar dominant at the back. Tony Popovic sets his team up to stay compact and counter, so I expect a low block and plenty of bodies behind the ball at Lumen Field. The return of Souttar from a long-term Achilles injury has been a major boost, and the Socceroos report no fresh fitness concerns. From my point of view Australia can frustrate for long spells, but creating enough at the other end is a much taller order.

Predicted Lineup: Beach; Italiano, Circati, Souttar, Burgess Bos; Metcalfe, Okon-Engstler, O'Neill, Irankunda; Toure.

Australia will sit deep and make life awkward for the USA, but I simply see too much firepower in this United States side for them to be kept quiet at home. I expect the hosts to grind down the Australian block and find a way through after the break. My forecast: USA 2 Australia 0.

BTTS: No (1.75)

Australia have built everything on defensive structure under Popovic and kept a clean sheet against Turkey, so they will travel to Seattle intent on keeping the score down. Though they scored twice, the Socceroos created very little going forward in that opener, and against a United States defence that conceded only once to Paraguay I can see them struggling to score in this one. In my opinion backing both teams to score no at 1.75 is the smart play.