
USMNT Sets Seattle Starting XI for World Cup 2026 Clash with Australia
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino names Matt Freese in goal and an 11-man starting lineup for the World Cup 2026 group-stage clash with Australia in Seattle: Freese; Sergiño Dest; Chris Richards; Tyler Adams; Antonee Robinson; Weston McKennie; Ricardo Pepi; Tim Ream (captain); Alex Freeman; Malik Tillman; Folarin Balogun. Pepi earns the sole starting XI change from the Paraguay win, while Christian Pulisic does not dress. Ream captains for the 31st time, Freeman becomes the ninth youngest US World Cup starter, and Balogun’s previous brace boosts him to fifth on the US all-time World Cup scoring list. Five starters from the last meeting with Australia (Balogun, Freeman, Freese, McKennie, Richards) also start today. The U.S. holds a 2-1-1 all-time edge vs. Australia, and Seattle Stadium is 6-0-0 for USMNT World Cup fixtures.





