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The United States' chances of a magic carpet thrust to a World Cup title are still slim, but nan opening is overmuch wider than it erstwhile was.
The U.S. Men's National Team clinched a spot successful nan Round of 32 pinch its 2-0 triumph complete Australia connected Friday, but location was much logic to observe astir 8 hours later.
After Paraguay defeated Turkey, 1-0, nan United States clinched first spot successful Group D — Turkey (zero points) cannot decorativeness up of nan U.S. (six), which already hit Paraguay and Australia (each pinch three) to triumph nan head-to-head tiebreaker.
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Players of nan United States observe their first goal, an ain extremity by Cameron Burgess of Australia, during nan FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D lucifer astatine Seattle Stadium successful Seattle, Washington, connected June 19, 2026. (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
That intends nan United States will play a third-place group-finisher to statesman nan knockout shape connected July 1 successful San Francisco astatine 8 p.m. EDT.
Who that third-place squad will beryllium remains to beryllium seen, arsenic location are 20 different possibilities based connected nan remainder of nan group shape — nan U.S. is slated to play nan third-place finisher of either Group B, E, F, I aliases J, and cipher from those groups has clinched a knockout shape spot yet.
In immoderate case, nan United States should beryllium favored against whoever they play, if each goes according to scheme — unless, of course, France aliases Argentina autumn successful their groups.
The Athletic noted, however, that nan likeliest outcome, astatine 58%, is Bosnia and Herzegovina, nan 64th-ranked FIFA programme successful nan world. Qatar, classed 58th, follows astatine 18%, and 28th-ranked Ecuador is 3rd astatine 5%.
Alex Freeman of nan United States celebrates pinch teammates aft scoring his team's 2nd extremity during nan FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D lucifer betwixt nan U.S. and Australia astatine Seattle Stadium connected June 19, 2026. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
USA WORLD CUP TEAM CLINCHES SPOT IN KNOCKOUT STAGE AFTER ANOTHER HISTORIC PERFORMANCE VS AUSTRALIA
With a triumph there, nan United States would past beryllium successful statement to perchance beryllium favored again, arsenic they would look nan victor of Match 82. That lucifer is nan victor of Group G (New Zealand, Iran, Belgium aliases Egypt) vs. different third-place squad. Belgium is nan highest-ranked squad successful that group astatine 10th successful nan world, while nan U.S. is not acold behind, astatine 13th.
Perhaps much importantly, nan United States tin get an further week of remainder for Christian Pulisic, who missed nan Australia crippled while dealing pinch a calf wounded he suffered successful nan World Cup opener against Paraguay. With thing to lose, head Mauricio Pochettino can, and apt will, limit play for Pulisic and different stars.
It's still an uphill climb for nan Stars and Stripes, but it's nary longer nan highest peak.
United States' Alex Freeman heads nan shot for a extremity past Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach during nan World Cup Group D shot lucifer successful Seattle connected June 19, 2026. (Maddy Grassy/AP Photo)
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The squad already has six goals successful group play, tying its group shape grounds pinch 1 much to play. The USMNT will look Turkey, which needs a triumph to enactment alive, connected Thursday successful Los Angeles.
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