The Socceroos’ qualifying hopes remain alive as Haiti, Tunisia and Turkiye became the first teams to be eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup as of Monday (AEST).
Australia’s qualification hopes remains alive despite a 2-0 loss to co-hosts US in Seattle on Saturday morning (AEST).
The departing teams all had two losses from two games.
Teams that qualified for the Round of 32 qualifiers were co-hosts US, Mexico and Germany, as of Monday (AEST).
Despite a second half resurgence, the Socceroos were left to rue missed chances as two first-half goals sealed the game for the co-hosts.
American Folarin Balogun scored first with a shot that deflected off Cameron Burgess into the net.
The Australians responded with a missed chance as the US dominated possession for most of the half.
Their second goal came from a set piece not long before half-time: A free kick sent to Sergino Dest saw his shot deflected into the path of Alex Freeman who converted for a goal that had to be cleared by VAR.
Three changes by coach Tony Popovic appeared to refresh the Socceroos but they failed to capitalise.
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SOCCEROOS COACH CRITICAL
“I think it was a fantastic game, a very good first half. I think we dominated the game,” USA coach Mauricio Pochettino told Fox Sports.
“When the draw (was made) in December, I thought it would be a tough game. I am so happy for the fans. It was impossible for Christian (Pulisic) to play but if we want to win the competition, we need the whole team.”
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic was critical of their first half effort.
“I don’t know if it was the occasion but we looked sluggish, heavy-legged,” he says.
“They (USA) were quicker, more powerful, won every duel, every second ball and when you do that, it makes it very difficult to gain any momentum then we conceded two soft goals.
“I thought the reaction second half was outstanding. (In the face of) this noise here (against) the host nation, I think the players showed how good they are in the second half,” he says.
The Socceroos now take on Paraguay on Friday (AEST) in San Francisco, US.
Depending on the result between Turkiye and Paraguay, a win or a draw could be enough to see the Socceroos advance from the group for the third time in history.
New Zealand sits at the bottom of their group after their 3-1 loss to Egypt in Vancouver this mid-morning (AEST). The Kiwis led 1-0 at the break but Egypt stormed home for their first win in a World Cup.
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