Pulisic fitness in focus as US and Australia chase early World Cup berth

The United States and Australia meet in Seattle with both teams able to secure a place in the World Cup knockout rounds after one Group D match. Al Jazeera reported that the outcome could also decide the group early, depending on the later match between Paraguay and Turkiye in Santa Clara.

The US enter Friday’s game at 19:00 GMT after a 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles. Australia also have three points after beating Turkiye 2-0 in Vancouver, a result Al Jazeera described as built on counterattacking play.

Pulisic remains a question for the US

Christian Pulisic’s availability is the main issue for Mauricio Pochettino’s team. Al Jazeera reported that the AC Milan attacker hurt his left calf in training before the Paraguay match, then started and helped shape the game before being withdrawn at half-time.

Pulisic was involved in the opening goal after seven minutes, finding Weston McKennie before McKennie’s cross was turned into the Paraguay net by Damian Bobadilla. He later set up Folarin Balogun shortly after the half-hour mark, but Sebastian Berhalter replaced him after the break with the US leading 3-0.

Al Jazeera reported that Pulisic joined the team huddle before training Thursday with his calf strapped but did not take part in the session, instead going to the gym with staff. Pochettino told reporters that Pulisic was improving and that the team would decide whether he could play.

“He’s evolving. He’s much better from Friday. We’ll see,” Pochettino said, according to Al Jazeera. The coach added that if Pulisic is not available against Australia, he expects him to be ready for the next match against Turkiye in Los Angeles on June 26 at 02:00 GMT.

McKennie said, according to Al Jazeera, that Pulisic wants to play and that both player and staff are doing what they can.

US options if Pulisic sits

Balogun is expected to lead the attack after scoring twice against Paraguay. Al Jazeera reported that his double was the first by a US player at a World Cup since Bert Patenaude, who scored the tournament’s first hat-trick 96 years earlier, also against Paraguay.

Giovanni Reyna scored in stoppage time against Paraguay after coming on late, while Timothy Weah also made an impact off the bench. Al Jazeera reported that Berhalter, Brenden Aaronson and Alejandro Zendejas are among other possible options, though Pochettino said the staff were still assessing the choices.

How qualification can be sealed

A US win would put Pochettino’s side on six points and guarantee a top-two place in Group D, according to Al Jazeera. The US would also clinch first place if that win is followed by either a draw between Paraguay and Turkiye or a Paraguay victory.

Australia have the same path. Al Jazeera reported that a win over the US would send the Socceroos into the knockout stage, and first place would be sealed if Turkiye fail to beat Paraguay later Friday.

Group positions are decided first by points, then by head-to-head results among level teams, with goal difference used only when tied teams drew against each other, Al Jazeera reported. The Group D winner is scheduled to play July 1 in the San Francisco Bay Area against a third-place team from Groups B, E, F, I or J.

Irankunda gives Australia a new threat

Nestory Irankunda scored Australia’s first goal against Turkiye and, according to Al Jazeera, became the country’s youngest World Cup scorer. The 20-year-old was born in Tanzania after his parents fled Burundi’s civil war and moved to Australia as an infant.

Al Jazeera reported that Irankunda came through Adelaide United, joined Bayern Munich in 2024, spent time on loan at Grasshopper Zurich and later moved to Watford to gain playing time before the World Cup. He made his Australia debut in June 2024 against Bangladesh and scored his first international goal against Palestine.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.