Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Socceroos vs USA will be Australia’s next major World Cup test on Saturday in Seattle, where the Socceroos will try to build on their 2-0 win over Türkiye and move closer to the knockout stages.
Australia entered Group D with Türkiye expected to be its toughest opponent, but the picture has shifted after the United States opened with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. Both teams now carry early momentum into a match that could shape the group.
For more World Cup coverage, read Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal vs DR Congo: Quiet World Cup opener ends in 1-1 draw. Fans can also follow official tournament updates through the FIFA World Cup website.
Australia chase another upset
The Socceroos’ win over Türkiye drew attention overseas and gave Australia a strong platform before facing the host nation. The performance also gave supporters another underdog story to rally behind.
Kick-off is set for Saturday, June 20, with Australian viewers facing an early start. The match begins at 5am AEST, 4.30am ACST and 3am AWST.
Tension builds before Group D clash
There has already been extra edge around the fixture after American pundits questioned Australia’s level in Group D. CBS analyst Mike Grella doubled down before the match.
"There's no shot Australia can compete with the US," Grella said.
"I know about football and it's like, 'Yeah, anything can happen.' Yeah, okay, but there's also levels of quality and the US has players that play week in and week out at the highest levels in Europe, and Australia does not, and it's as simple as that."
Pat McAfee said the comments may have united Australian fans across sports.
"[Grella has] got all of Australia, all of them united, I believe," commentator Pat McAfee said.
"He's got the Aussie Rules football folks, he's got the rugby folks … I believe they're all pretty much rallying around the fact that Grella is an American and he's talking shit about their team," he said.
Australia will finish its Group D schedule against Paraguay on June 26, but the Seattle match now looks like the defining test.