USA vs. Australia 2026 World Cup predictions, odds, pick
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Bryan Logan, ClutchPointsWed, Jun 17, 2026·4 min readUSA vs. Australia 2026 World Cup predictions, odds, pick appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It is game two of the Group Stage in Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Seattle, Washington, is the site as two teams look to clinch their tickets to the Knockout Stage. The USMNT and Australia both found wins in their first games of the Group Stage, and look to continue their good form. It is time to continue our World Cup odds series with a USA-Australia prediction and pick.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe USMNT comes in after a dominating performance to open the World Cup. It started in the seventh minute, as Weston McKennie pushed the ball to the left to Christian Pulisic. Pulisic got it back to McKennie on a late run from the midfielder. He poked the ball forward, pulling Orlando Gil off his line. Damian Bobadilla would put a final touch on the ball, scoring an own goal to open the game. Pulisic would not be done creating offense. He found Folarin Balogun in the 31st minute, who drove it past a diving Gil for the goal. Balogun would make it a brace late in stoppage time in the first half.
Pulisic would leave at halftime of the game, though, dealing with an injury in his left calf. That would not slow down the USMNT. Paraguay would find a goal in the 73rd minute. Gil launched a free-kick down the pitch, which found Miguel Almiron. Almiron would get the ball to Julio Encisco, who found an unmarked Mauricio for the goal. Still, it would not be enough for Paraguay as Gio Reyna would add a late goal, and the United States won 4-1.
Meanwhile, Australia is also coming in off a win. Patrick Beach was amazing for the Socceroos, as he made eight saves in the game. He was also the reason for the first goal of the game for Australia. After making a save, he quickly started the counterattack. Paul Okon-Engstler got the ball and pushed it across to Nesory Irankunda, who found the back of the net. As Turkey kept the pressure on the Australian defense, they kept moving on the counter. Connor Metcalfe would then add a goal in the 75th minute as Beach kept the clean sheet and Australia won 2-0.
2026 World Cup odds courtesy of DraftKings
USA vs. Australia 2026 World Cup Odds
USA 3-Way Moneyline: -165
Australia 3-Way Moneyline: +425
Draw: +330
Over 2.5 Goals: -105
Under 2.5 Goals: -120
Keys to USA vs. Australia Matchup
The first key to the match is going to be the health of Christian Pulisic. He left the match against Paraguay, but seems to be confident that he will be playing on Friday. After the match against Paraguay, he downplayed the injury, according to Jeff Carlisle of ESPN.
“I just got a bit of a kick first half, so I’m really hoping that it’s nothing,” Pulisic said. “Taking a little bit of precaution today, but I’m hoping I’ll be fine the next few days. Just the back of my leg, my calf area. But I’ve had similar things before, and I’m staying positive. I don’t think it’s anything at all.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementPulisic will be needed in this game against Australia. Pulisic created some of the best chances for the USMNT against Paraguay, and creating chances is going to be key against Australia. Turkey held 71.6 percent of the possession in the first game. They had 30 shots, including eight on target. This led to Turkey having a 1.33 expected goals factor. With Australia being content to sit back and wait for the counterattack, the USMNT needs to make the most of their possesion.
For Australia, it is all about playing sound defense and waiting for the best chance to counter. This does not start with the goaltender, though. Australia intercepted seven passes in the game, while having 24 recoveries in their defensive third. Meanwhile, they limited top-quality chances for Turkey. The Socceroos forced Turkey to shoot from outside, with 16 of their 30 shots coming from outside the box. If Australia can execute on the defensive ends and on the counter against the United States, they could pull an upset.
USA vs. Australia Prediction and Pick
The USMNT dominated much of the first game with Paraguay. They had 37.5 percent shooting accuracy, while having six of their 14 shots find the target, resulting in four goals. While Turkey has a potent attack, it was stifled by an amazing performance from Patrick Beach of Australia. Beach would have to have a nearly identical performance to slow down the United States. The US squad will see more possession in this game than they saw against Paraguay and will turn that into goals.
AdvertisementAdvertisementStill, Australia was solid on the counter in their first game, and there is no reason to think they will not do the same. The USMNT will score twice in this game, but will concede a goal in the process. They get the win and clinch Group D, while Australia will need another point in their final game to secure moving on.
Finals USA vs. Australia 2026 World Cup Prediction and Pick: USA ML (-165) and Over 2.5 goals (-105)
Related: Mexico vs. South Korea 2026 World Cup predictions, odds, pick
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
