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World Cup 2026 Australia thread

rebelliousfeminist974 said:
The USA will be lucky to get out of the group as one of the eight best third-placed teams because they weren't that convincing in the March international window and when they got the win over the Socceroos last October, they were able to adapt to the mountainous conditions in Colorado but this time round we'll be playing in conditions similar to those at Polytec Stadium so in theory they should be more favourable for us and the Socceroos should be able to either get a result or even get the job done.
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You think? I think our legacy in the modern era is better but currently I feel like America has better players. Look at how many play in Big Five leagues vs how many of our guys do. I’d love for us to win the group though and go as far as we can!
 
HonestSpursFan said:
You think? I think our legacy in the modern era is better but currently I feel like America has better players. Look at how many play in Big Five leagues vs how many of our guys do. I’d love for us to win the group though and go as far as we can!
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Poppa will likely field a full-strength starting XI for the Socceroos in our second group stage match against the USA and come June we'll have Mo Toure fully fit and firing again along with Jordan Bos and Nestory Irankunda continuing to make waves, but even with the better players they'll still be stifled by our 'park the bus' approach and we can at least try to get a point.
 
Roar92_ said:
I’m saying US, then us, Turkiye, and Paraguay. I’m not predicting many goals in the group.

US 1 Paraguay 1
Australia 1 Turkiye 1
US 2 Australia 1
Turkiye 1 Paraguay 0
Paraguay 0 Australia 1
Turkiye 1 US 2

US 7
Aus 4
Tur 4
Par 1
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Decentric said:
It is tough predicting game outcomes.
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I agree @Decentric but I'll fall into the trap as well. And @Roar92_ I still have us second - just a different winner.


Context first

US competive games recently

2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup Runners-up Lost 2–1 to Mexico in the final.
2024–25 Nations League 4th Place Lost 1–0 to Panama in the semi-final and 2–1 to Canada in the 3rd-place match.
2024 Copa América Group Stage Finished 3rd in Group C; failed to advance after a 1–0 loss to Uruguay.

Friendlies

Date Opponent Score Result Competition

31 Mar 2026 Portugal 0–2 L International Friendly
28 Mar 2026 Belgium 2–5 L International Friendly

All teams below heavily rotated and trying different tactics/combos after qualifying

18 Nov 2025 Uruguay 5–1 W International Friendly - Uruguay 17 man squad with quarter of a billion ero of talent not picked
15 Nov 2025 Paraguay 2–1 W International Friendly -
14 Oct 2025 Australia 2–1 W International Friendly - played at altitude after US were in camp there and Australia arrived late (deliberate ploy to mak it a tough test). Austalia dominated until they wilted late

USMNT upcoming friendlies

June 1: USA vs. Senegal
June 7: USA vs. Germany

For refereence ELO Rankings the better predictor

USA 41

Canada 25
Mexico 20
Panama 36
Uruguay 15
Portugal 5
Belgium 19
Paraguay 22
Australia 26
Senegal 17
Germany 11
Paraguay 22
Turkey 14

I agree not many goals in the group. But by the time they play Paraguay the US are likely not to have won a game in 2026.I also have the proviso that Popovic picks the right side and uses then properly.

MD1
US 0 Paraguay 0 - The US will drop points - Paraguay conceded 10 goals in 18 matches in qualifying - the best they can get is a draw for me.
Australia 0 Turkiye 1 - I suspect a close loss for us. We are a good defensive unit but Turkey are a quality side. However, they are notorious for starting tournaments slowly so a draw or a breakaway goal for a win is possible

MD2
US 1 Australia 3 - After not winning since 2025 and having to play Turkiye in the last match the US must win. They will attack, we will catch them a couple of times on the break - late goal for them and they will then get caught again.
Turkiye 1 Paraguay 0 - Turkey the better team - Paraguay still tight

MD3
Paraguay 0 Australia 1 - Set piece goal - Paraguay achilles heel is height - we have it
Turkiye 3 US 0 - US elimnated


Table Pts GD
Turkey 9 5
Australia 6 3
Paraguay 1 0
US 1 -5

This aligns with ELO rankings and looking at the latest results where Mexico drew both US opponents this window shows the 'golden generation' is actually a tin-plated generation with a feet of clay.

BTW - H2H is the first tie breaker
 
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