FIFA World Cup 2026 Odds, Prediction: USA vs. Australia Betting Picks
The second round of matches from Group D in the 2026 World Cup kick off Friday. The host United States played about as well as it ever has in winning its tournament opener but faces another team that won its opener, Australia, on Friday afternoon from Seattle. Team USA is -165 on the soccer odds with the Aussies +450 and a draw +320.
It’s the first-ever World Cup meeting between the countries. Their most recent matchup overall was a friendly in October 2025 won by USA, 2-1, in Colorado.
Check out our full list of live 2026 World Cup betting odds.
USA vs. Australia FIFA World Cup: How to Watch and Match Info
When: Friday, 3 p.m. ET, Lumen Field, Seattle
TV: TSN, TSN+
Weather: Sunshine and clouds mixed. High around 27°C. Winds NNW at 8 to 16 kph.
USA vs. Australia Predicted Starting XI Lineups
Australia (4-4-2): Beach (keeper); Geria, Souttar, Burgess, Bos; Leckie, Irvine, Metcalfe, Irankunda; Mabil, Hrustic
United States (4-3-3): Freese (keeper); Dest, C. Richards, A. Robinson, Scally; T. Adams, McKennie, Reyna; Weah, Balogun, Pulisic
USA FIFA World Cup Odds and News
I projected the Americans to win their opener last Friday in Los Angeles by a 1-0 score against Paraguay, but instead the USA played arguably its greatest World Cup game ever in a 4-1 stomping.
Folarin Balogun, born in the United States but raised in London, officially stamped himself as the next U.S. star with goals in the 31st minute and in first-half stoppage time.
Giovanni Reyna added the last in second-half stoppage time, while the USA’s first score in the seventh minute was a Paraguay own goal. The four goals were an American record in a World Cup game, and they had just three total four years ago in Qatar.
There was some question which player would be in net for the USA between Matt Turner and Matt Freese, and it was Freese so it seems doubtful that changes here. The United States will be trying to win multiple games at the World Cup for only the third time and first since 2002.
Australia FIFA World Cup Odds and News
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic made a decision ahead of his team’s World Cup opener last Saturday against Turkey in Vancouver that caused shockwaves back in Australia as Popovic decided to bench No. 1 keeper Maty Ryan, a team captain a national legend with 104 international caps, for 22-year-old Patrick Beach playing his first full international game.
Ryan had started Australia’s last 10 games at the World Cup. But it worked as the big underdog Aussies were 2-0 winners, so now they would be in great shape to advance with even a draw here.
Nestory Irankunda had a goal in the 27th minute and Connor Metcalfe scored in the 75th. Beach made eight saves, but it’s possible that Ryan gets his chance Friday. No official word yet.
For the final World Cup warm-up against Switzerland, Beach also started but no one expected that going forward. Last week was Australia’s fifth-ever win at a World Cup, but Turkey dominated possession and the Aussies faced 30 total shots, the most any team that has gone on to win a World Cup match had absorbed since Portugal beat England in 2006.
USA vs. Australia Player Odds and Props
One of my props picks for the USA’s opener was both teams to score at -130, and that hit. Also like that here at +100. Folarin Balogun’s brace in that win over Paraguay marked only the second multi-goal game for an American player and first since 1930. Let’s back Balogun at +155 for an anytime goal Friday.
World Cup 2026 Bracket and Futures
To win Group D, the USA is now a -230 favourite (was +140) with Australia moving from a long shot to +300 second-favourite. For runner-up, Australia is the +110 leader and the United States +275. And to simply qualify for the new Round of 32, the Americans are -10000 and Socceroos -700 so not much value on either of those plays even though both should move on.
United States vs. Australia Score Prediction
USA 1, Australia 1. In one regard, a draw is a solid result for both squads after both had multi-goal wins in their openers. Both would be in the driver’s seat to advance with simply that point. So if this is close in about the 80th minute, neither team attacks big-time and risks losing outright.