THE WAR OF WORDS BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED STATES:
* "They're lucky it was a friendly. I was ready to go. And if (the ref) didn't give me a shit yellow in the corner, I probably would've killed somebody." - US defender Chris Richards after a feisty friendly against the Socceroos, October 14, 2025
* "I'm satisfied" - Socceroo coach Tony Popovic after Australia are drawn in Group D with co-hosts the United States, Paraguay and a European qualifier (one of Turkey, Kosovo, Slovakia and Romania), December 5, 2025
* "If you believe in the soccer gods, you should be thanking them." - former US international Alexi Lalas, December 5
* "Layup for the US" - CBS pundit Mike Grella, December 5
* "Thanks for coming, Aussies and your smug coach - you can get back on the Qantas airplane and head back home, pal." - former US striker Landon Donovan tips Australia to finish last in Group D, December 10
* "An average team by any measure" - Lalas after Australia's loss to Mexico, June 4, 2026
* "It's just so much rubbish and I'm just sick of it." - Socceroo Connor Metcalfe, June 5
* "I have never wanted to win a game more than this one, I can tell you that for free" - Socceroo Kai Trewin, June 17
AUSTRALIA V US: STATS, STARS AND FIGURES:
* Saturday June 20 (5am AEST), Seattle Stadium, Washington
* Live world ranking: Australia 23, US 15
* Coaches: Australia: Tony Popovic, US: Mauricio Pochettino
* Highest ranking: Australia 14 (2009), US 4 (2006)
* Lowest ranking: Australia 102 (2014), US 36 (2012)
* Head-to-head: Played 4: Australia 1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses
* Best World Cup finish: Australia: R16 (2016, 2022), US third (1930)
* Population: Australia: 28 million, US 342.6 million
PAST MEETINGS:
* 13/06/1992: Australia 1-0 US (friendly, Orlando, US)
* 06/11/1998: US 0-0 Australia (friendly, San Jose, US)
* 05/06/2010: US 3-1 Australia (friendly, Johannesburg, South Africa)
* 14/10/2025: US 2-1 Australia (friendly, Denver, US)
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
* Nestory Irankunda - Fresh off scoring a wonderful goal against Turkey, all eyes will be on Australia's own 'star boy', who is talented, explosive and should be full of confidence.
* Patrick Beach - On his World Cup debut, made eight saves and was impassable along with the Socceroos' defence. Can he repeat his heroics if required?
* Harry Souttar - The towering defender at the heart of Australia's backline was impeccable as captain against Turkey and is a crucial leader for the Socceroos.
* Folarin Balogun - Former England youth international who only committed to the US in 2023, but got off to a flyer in his debut World Cup appearance, scoring a brace against Paraguay in the 4-1 win.
* Haji Wright - Attacker went unused against Paraguay, but scored twice against the Socceroos in Denver last year.
* Christian Pulisic - Nicknamed 'Captain America', the US and AC Milan star is under an injury cloud as he battles a left calf issue, but is their most creative and dangerous player on his day.
