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The U.S. may face Australia in the World Cup without star Christian Pulisic
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Special Series Soccer Edition Follow the World Cup in the NPR App Find Your Station Sign up for Up First for Soccer Edition on Tuesdays The 2026 FIFA World Cup is from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Sixteen host cities across North America, including Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, Kansas City, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States. The NPR Network will have coverage from across the country leading up to and during the championship. No Pulisic, no problem: U.S. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images hide caption
SEATTLE — For days, questions about the health of star winger Christian Pulisic's left calf had loomed large over the U.S. men's national soccer team: After being kicked in the leg during last week's Paraguay game, would he be available in the pivotal second U.S. game of the FIFA World Cup?
Soccer Edition Your cheat sheet to the 26 players on the U.S. World Cup team In the end, it didn't matter.
The U.S. dominated Friday's match against Australia, winning 2-0 even as Pulisic, who was ultimately deemed unavailable before kickoff, watched his teammates from the sidelines.
"I want to be dangerous. I want to create opportunities. And it might not always be myself that scores, but if I can force an error that gives us the lead, for me that's like a goal as well," Balogun said. "It was a special start to the game to give us the momentum, and then I think we carried it out."
The U.S. added a second goal when defender Alex Freeman knocked in a header just before halftime. The chippy match resulted in seven total yellow cards, three for the U.S. on defenders Antonee Robinson and Chris Richards and Balogun.
After the game, U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino praised his team and their approach. "We build the victory in our attitude," he said.
Cristian Volpato #20 of Australia and Weston McKennie #8 of the United States battle for the ball during the team's World Cup Group D match on Friday in Seattle. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images hide caption
About 90 minutes before kickoff, Pochettino told Fox that Pulisic would be unavailable due to the nagging left calf injury suffered last Friday. "It is hoped, as soon as possible, [that he] can be ready to be selected again to be part of the team," Pochettino said.
In his place, forward Ricardo Pepi made the start on the left side. For Freeman, his first career World Cup goal was the latest step in a remarkable trajectory for a 21-year-old player who made his first appearance for the U.S. national team just over a year ago.
It was unclear whether Pulisic would be available for the third and final U.S. group stage game, a match against Turkey set for next Thursday.
Turkey, whose roster features stars like Arda Güler of Real Madrid and Kenan Yıldız of Juventus, had been considered by some analysts to be the strongest team in the group.
The U.S. victory over Australia was the second win in the group stage — the first time the American men have done that in a World Cup since 1930.
Due to an editing error, a previous version of this story said Güler and Yıldız played for Australia. In fact, they play for Turkey
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− tops Australia 2-0 in World Cup despite missing its star Updated June 19, 20265:03 PM ET Originally published June 19, 20265:00 AM ET By
Becky Sullivan
,
Russell Lewis
Alex Freeman #16 of the United States heads to score the team's second goal during the first half of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia in Seattle on Friday.
+ tops Australia 2-0 in World Cup despite missing its star Updated June 20, 20261:07 AM ET Originally published June 19, 20265:00 AM ET By
Becky Sullivan
,
Russell Lewis
Alex Freeman #16 of the United States heads to score the team's second goal during the first half of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia in Seattle on Friday.
+ The victory, coupled with a Turkey loss on Friday, guaranteed the U.S. won Group D and advanced to the knockout round.
− The scoring started early when American striker Folarin Balogun streaked down the left side of the field and powered a pass into the penalty area, where Australian defender Cameron Burgess booted it into his net for an own goal in the 11th minute.
+ The scoring against Australia started early when American striker Folarin Balogun streaked down the left side of the field and powered a pass into the penalty area, where Australian defender Cameron Burgess booted it into his net for an own goal in the 11th minute.
− The win guarantees that the U.S. will advance to the knockout stage of the tournament, and it puts the Americans in the driver's seat to win Group D. That would set up the team for a more advantageous path through the knockout round, which begins Sunday, June 28.
− Soccer Edition FAQ: How World Cup fans and workers can stay safe in the heat Whether that game will matter depends on the outcome of Friday night's Turkey-Paraguay matchup; if Turkey draws or loses, the U.S.
+ Soccer Edition FAQ: How World Cup fans and workers can stay safe in the heat The outcome of that match has no bearing on the Americans' advancement to the knockout round.
− is guaranteed the top spot.
+ With Turkey's 1-0 loss to Paraguay on Friday, the Americans are locked into the top spot, no matter the result of next week's head-to-head match.
− If Turkey wins, that sets up next week's head-to-head game to determine the group winner.
+ The U.S. will play its Round of 32 match on July 1 in Santa Clara, Calif., against a still-to-be-determined third-place group finisher.
+ But they've yet to score a goal at this World Cup and will be eliminated after their game against the U.S.