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USMNT vs. Australia World Cup watch guide: Start time, TV info, players to know

Malik Tillman (left) and Folarin Balogun (right) celebrate together. They wear white kits with red stripes.

Folarin Balogun scored two of the Americans' four goals in their opener versus Paraguay. Harry How / Getty Images

By Steven Louis GoldsteinJune 19, 2026 Updated

It’s hard to envision a much sharper World Cup start for the U.S. men’s national team.

As the third and final host nation to take the pitch, the United States dropped a neon exclamation mark on its group-stage kickoff. With a formidable attack and sturdy defense, Mauricio Pochettino’s outfit looked fully in control against Paraguay. The 4-1 win emboldened supporters and struck back at detractors.

Now, for the follow up. Can the team jump out to six points and a commanding Group D lead? Or will the hype get hushed in short order?

The USMNT heads to Seattle and faces off with fellow unbeaten Australia on Friday afternoon. Broadcast TV coverage should bring in massive viewership. Here’s what to expect, when to tune in and who to look for.

How to watch United States vs. Australia

Venue: Lumen Field — Seattle
Date: Friday, June 19
Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: Fox and Telemundo
Streaming (U.S.): Fubo (Stream Free Now)

Fox and Telemundo are free over the air. Fox is also available with a Fox One subscription. Telemundo is also available with a Peacock subscription.

More details about the telecast

Friday’s match gets the same Fox broadcast booth as last week’s opener. John Strong and Stu Holden are on the call, while Jenny Taft reports from the pitch. Per the network itself, that opening USMNT victory versus Paraguay drew almost 16 million viewers across Fox, Fox One and Tubi. That’s a 106 percent increase from the first U.S. group-stage match in the 2022 tournament.

Fox’s main pregame show puts host Rebecca Lowe next to Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Alexi Lalas. Ibrahimović took a polygraph test during a recent spot on “After Hours with James Corden.” According to those results, he believes that “a panel of four Zlatans would be better” than the current desk. He also insisted that he was superior to Henry in their playing days. Studio programming starts two hours before the match at 1 p.m. ET. Shenanigans should ensue.

The Spanish-language presentation on Telemundo is voiced by Andrés Cantor and Omar Zerón. Retired USMNT member Jozy Altidore is on the roster of studio commentators. Telemundo also has Luis Omar Tapia, who shared his famous goal call on “The Tonight Show” earlier this month.

What Mauricio Pochettino has brought to the USMNTPaul Tenorio

The USMNT’s last outing

Pochettino didn’t need any sort of rousing speech to pump up his crew. The hosts made their formal introduction to the tournament in Southern California last Friday. What a statement it was.

The USMNT blasted Paraguay thanks to a dynamic attack. It held possession for 59 percent of the match, while its opponent came in at just 28 percent. The U.S. also outshot Paraguay inside the penalty area by a 13-to-4 mark.

The Americans’ first goal was actually an opportune deflection — Weston McKennie ripped a pass that bounced off Paraguayan defender Damian Bobadilla and found the back of the net. Then came the Folarin Balogun takeover. The 24-year-old scored twice before the end of the first half, which bumped him up to 11 career goals across 28 international caps. Gio Reyna came on in the 82nd minute, then added a masterful strike at the end of stoppage time for three Group D points.

Chris Richards and captain Tim Ream led a strong defensive effort, while Matt Freese became the first active MLS goalkeeper to start a World Cup match for the USMNT.

A lone blight came when star attacker Christian Pulisic was subbed off at the half due a calf injury. Pochettino said Thursday that Pulisic was “evolving,” per The Athletic’s Henry Bushnell. Pulisic is questionable for Friday’s match.

Australia’s last outing

Like its opponent, Australia smashed expectations in its Group D intro with a 2-0 defeat of Turkey. Nestory Irankunda broke through in the 27th minute and became the youngest World Cup goal scorer in his nation’s history. The 20-year-old showed speed and grace on the long-range run.

Connor Metcalfe matched Irankunda with a goal of his own in the 75th minute. But the man of the match was Socceroos goalkeeper Patrick Beach, who set an Australian record with eight saves en route to his inspired clean sheet. Beach was a surprise selection, as manager Tony Popovic chose the unproven prospect ahead of longtime keeper Mathew Ryan.

Australia got the win, even as it was outmatched in on-target shots by a 7-to-4 margin. The Aussies were also called for 12 fouls, while Turkey notched just four.

Australia led the U.S. in their last meeting, a 2025 exhibition in Commerce City, Colo. But the USMNT mounted an impressive rally for a 2-1 win. As if the visitors needed any further motivation, CBS Sports Golazo Network analyst Mike Grella called this matchup a “layup” for the Americans during their 2026 tournament draw. It’s turned into a rallying cry for the underdogs.

Recent USMNT World Cup finishes

2022: Round of 16
2018: Did not qualify
2014: Round of 16
2010: Round of 16
2006: Group stage
2002: Quarterfinals

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Jun 24, 2026

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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.'