U.S. men's national team reaches World Cup knockout stage after 2-0 win over Australia

The United States men's national team defeated Australia 2-0 on Friday in Seattle and clinched first place in Group D at the 2026 World Cup. The result followed a 2-0 group-stage win over Paraguay and advanced the team to the knockout rounds before its final group match against Türkiye.

Richards responds to Ibrahimovic comment Defender Chris Richards addressed a postgame remark by former Sweden forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who said the United States has a chance to win the World Cup. "I don't think it's ridiculous to say that we want to win it," Richards said.

" He added that the team wants to lift a trophy by the end of the tournament.

Team performance and schedule The United States has recorded two convincing group-stage wins while playing without forward Christian Pulisic, who was sidelined by injury. The team will face Türkiye on Thursday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The farthest the United States has advanced at a modern World Cup is the quarterfinals, reached in 2002.