World Cup 2026: Brazilians race to complete competition's sticker album

USA vs. Australia Score, Live Updates, Highlights From 2026 World Cup Match originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

All eyes are on Seattle's Lumen Field as the United States host Australia for its second game in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The United States opened its World Cup in historic fashion, defeating Paraguay 4-1 in the opener; Folarin Balogun's brace made him the first American to score multiple goals in a World Cup game since 1930. Between Balogun and Christian Pulisic, who is available for today's matchup after injuring his calf against Paraguay, the United States boast an attack as lethal as its had in years.

Australia also opened the tournament with a win, defeating Turkey 2-0, meaning this afternoon's winner will go atop Group D. With three points, the United States can clinch a spot in the knockout stages, depending on other results. Though, the focus is squarely on Seattle, where Mauricio Pochettino's squad will look to take control of the group.

Get ready for one of the best environments at the World Cup as the United States welcomes in Australia in Seattle.

Follow along right here for the latest updates and highlights from the World Cup match between Team USA and Australia.

USA vs. Australia score

12F

USA22

Australia00

USA vs. Australia live updates, highlights from 2026 World Cup

Halftime: United States 2, Australia 0

3:53 p.m.: Right before the halftime whistle, Freeman finds Dest at the top of the box, but it's saved by Patrick Beach. On the other end, Australia gets bodied by Freeman right halftime.

After 45 minutes, the United States sits in an incredible position, holding a 2-0 lead behind an own goal and Freeman's header. If the result holds, the Americans will take a commanding hold of Group D while also clinching a spot in the knockout stages, which they have never done with group stage games remaining.

All's going well for the United States, but expect a response from Australia.

United States 2, Australia 0

3:46 p.m. GOAL: The U.S. wins the free kick, and it makes Australia pay.

Antonee Robinson finds Dest on the top of the box, and though the shot is blocked, the 21-year-old Alex Freeman heads it home. Though it was called offsides, VAR overturns it as the Seattle crowd explodes.

ALEX FREEMAN MAKES IT 2-0 AMERICA! 🇺🇸

The goal is confirmed for the @USMNT after a VAR check! pic.twitter.com/jTGJxaXk52

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 19, 2026

It's Freeman's first ever World Cup goal and third for the USMNT, and more importantly, it gives the United States a 2-0 lead. The United States have a multiple-goal cushion with halftime approaching.

3:43 p.m.: Dest and Tillman run a two-man game in the corner, and it wins a free kick for the U.S.

Dest has performed well in the final third, making an impact from his first goal against Senegal to the game against Paraguay.

3:39 p.m.: Alex Freeman and Pual Okon-Engstler collided, but both are on their feet now and are being checked for concussions.

We reached the 40th minute.

3:32 p.m.: The United States has already made history today, benefitting from own goals in back-to-back World Cup games.

The @USMNT is the first team in Men's FIFA World Cup history to benefit from an own goal in two consecutive matches@JohnStrongpic.twitter.com/vuFnhB2CXw

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 19, 2026

3:26 p.m.: We're at the hydration break in Seattle, with the United States taking a 1-0 lead through the first quarter of the game.

The own goal stands as the difference; the United States has 63% possession, 126 accurate passes and has been the better team so far.

3:23 p.m.: It's a chance for the Australians, who whip the ball into the box but it's out of bounds before threatening Freese.

Australia now has a corner.

3:16 p.m.: The United States continues to dominate, holding the ball and generating chances.

McKennie had a chance on a corner, but his header was blocked by a defender. Then, he gets hit in the face by Jordan Bos, the first yellow card of the game.

United States 1, Australia 0

3:11 p.m. GOAL: For the second straight game, the United States opens up the scoring with an own goal.

It was Balogun who created it, driving down the line and throwing the ball in front, and it goes off Australian centerback Cameron Burgess and in.

1-0! GOOOOAL FOR USA! 🇺🇸

Flo Balogun charges in and the @USMNT finds the back of the net on the own goal pic.twitter.com/GdivDaeNt9

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 19, 2026

Just like that, the United States leads.

3:05 p.m.: Australia is on its heels, with the USMNT dominating possession. But, the Socceroos are fine with that, controlling the ball for less than 30% of the time in the opener against Turkey.

Pepi had a good early look, but there's a whistle in the box.

3:00 p.m.: We have kicked off in Seattle.

Stay tuned for live updates throughout the game as the United States looks to go atop Group D.

2:59 p.m.: The Seattle crowd is roaring.

The national anthem plays at Seattle Stadium 🇺🇸

Today marks the first-ever FIFA World Cup match in Seattle for the @USMNTpic.twitter.com/BgLRFsUKHr

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 19, 2026

It's time for one of the biggest games in USMNT history.

2:51 p.m.: The teams are about to come out of the tunnel. With a win, the U.S. advances to the knockout stages; with Australia winning its opener, the winner of the game will also take the top of Group D into Matchday 3.

2:43 p.m.: It's almost time.

There's tremendous excitement and an amazing atmosphere in Seattle as fans prepare to march to Lumen Field for the US national team's second match against Australia.pic.twitter.com/AnxQuRjap2

, The thinker man (@kwekuedilson) June 19, 2026

With a win, the United States would clinch a spot in the knockout stages.

2:35 p.m.: The fans are ready in Seattle.

🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅 pic.twitter.com/Kg5EH7iKxC

, U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 19, 2026

2:25 p.m.: Warmups are underway in Seattle, with kickoff under an hour away.

Here we go! pic.twitter.com/qSzafoHEFy

, U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 19, 2026

2:15 p.m.: Here is the starting lineup for today's match. Pochettino keeps 10 of 11 starters, with Ricardo Pepi taking the spot of Pulisic.

STARTING IN SEATTLE! 🫡#USMNT x The @HomeDepotpic.twitter.com/wqyncaR7SS

, U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 19, 2026

2:06 p.m.: After the opener in Los Angeles, the United States heads north for today's matchup at Lumen Field in Seattle. Look at the environment before kickoff.

🗣️ U-S-A pic.twitter.com/XaPBL4bPnC

, Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 19, 2026

2:00 p.m.: The biggest news of today's clash is that Christian Pulisic will not feature. Pulisic suffered a calf injury in the first half of the opener against Paraguay and is not fit to go.

EXCLUSIVE: USA star Christian Pulisic is OUT today with a calf injury against Australia and Ricardo Pepi will get the start, USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino tells FOX Sports’ @JennyTaft. pic.twitter.com/ZobSiOfjYx

, FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 19, 2026

Here is what coach Mauricio Pochettino had to say about the USMNT's star.

How to watch USA vs. Australia: TV channel, live stream

TV channel: FOX

Live stream: fubo,Fox One, Fox Sports app/website

This match will air nationally on FOX in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.

The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up a for a FREE trial.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

USA vs. Australia start time

Date: Friday, June 19

Time: 3 p.m. ET

USA vs. Australia is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, June 19. The game will be played at Lumen Field in Seattle.

World Cup schedule today and tomorrow

(All times Eastern)

Friday, June 19

USA vs. Australia (3 p.m.)

Scotland vs. Morocco (6 p.m.)

Brazil vs. Haiti (8:30 p.m.)

Turkey vs. Paraguay (11 p.m.)

Saturday, June 20

Netherlands vs. Sweden (1 p.m.)

Germany vs. Ivory Coast (4 p.m.)

Ecuador vs. Curaçao (8 p.m.)

MORE:Complete World Cup schedule and fixtures

2026 FIFA World Cup FAQs

When is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 19, 2026. It will be the first World Cup hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being played?

The 2026 World Cup will be played across 16 host cities in North America, with matches taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first men's World Cup hosted by three countries.

The 16 host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle in the United States; Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; and Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.

How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format used in previous tournaments. The larger field also means more matches, more knockout-round games and more countries involved than ever before.

The 48 teams are Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cape Verde, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Curaçao, Czechia, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Senegal, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Türkiye, United States, Uruguay and Uzbekistan.

How many games are in the 2026 World Cup?

There will be 104 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That includes the group stage, knockout rounds and the final.

Can I stream the 2026 World Cup?

Yes. Streaming options will depend on the match, language and broadcast partner. In the U.S., Fox Sports lists FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for English-language coverage, while Telemundo will stream every match live on Peacock and the Telemundo App for Spanish-language coverage.

What channel is the 2026 World Cup on?

In the U.S., English-language matches are expected across FOX and FS1, which are available on fubo for those without cable, while Spanish-language coverage will air on Telemundo and Universo, which you can stream on DIRECTV and Peacock.

When is the 2026 World Cup final?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2026. The match will be played at New York-New Jersey Stadium, FIFA's tournament name for MetLife Stadium.

What time do World Cup games start?

Kickoff times vary by date, host city and round. Because the tournament is being played across multiple time zones in the United States, Canada and Mexico, fans should check the official match schedule for start times in their local time zone.

Is the United States playing in the 2026 World Cup?

Yes. The United States automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations, along with Canada and Mexico.