The Socceroos will continue their World Cup campaign this weekend as they look to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament for the third time.
Australia is hoping to use momentum from its upset win over Türkiye to trump home-ground favourites the USA.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of kick-off.
Who is Australia playing next?
The Socceroos will be playing the USA.
Australia’s coming off the back off a 2-0 win over Türkiye which was branded as a “surprise” victory by international media.
The Socceroos posing for photos with fans after their win over Türkiye. (Reuters: Agustin Marcarian)
But the American side is also riding high after a 4-1 victory over Paraguay.
When is the match?
It’ll be on Saturday, June 20.
As for the start time, you may need to set your alarm. It’ll be an early wake-up!
Here’s the start time for your time zone:
- AEST: 5am
- ACST: 4.30am
- AWST: 3am
Australia’s Group D fixtures
Where are they playing?
The Socceroos will be playing in Seattle, Washington on Saturday.
How can I tune in?
ABC Sport is live-blogging every World Cup game and we have extensive coverage of all the tournament’s biggest storylines here.
ABC Sport will provide radio commentary of all Socceroos games, key group stage games, and all of the knockout stage.
You can also watch all Socceroos matches live on SBS and SBS On Demand.
Connor Metcalfe battles for the ball against Turkiye defender Ferdi Kadıoglu. (Reuters: Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images)
What else should I know about the game?
Going into the tournament Türkiye was set to be the hardest match-up in the Group D games.
But with the first games down it’s looking like the USA will be the biggest challenge.
There’s already been a bit of animosity building up around this game, sparked by trash-talking from American commentators who have argued the Socceroos are the weakest team in Group D.
While some commentators have walked back their statements following the Türkiye game, CBS pundit Mike Grella has doubled down.
“There’s no shot Australia can compete with the US,” Grella said.
“I know about football and it’s like, ‘Yeah, anything can happen.’ Yeah, okay, but there’s also levels of quality and the US has players that play week in and week out at the highest levels in Europe, and Australia does not, and it’s as simple as that.”
The stands at Vancouver’s BC Place were a sea of gold during the Australia vs Türkiye group stage match. (Reuters: Agustin Marcarian)
His comments may come back to haunt him. After all, Australia loves an underdog story!
“[Grella has] got all of Australia, all of them united, I believe,” commentator Pat McAfee said.
“He’s got the Aussie Rules football folks, he’s got the rugby folks … I believe they’re all pretty much rallying around the fact that Grella is an American and he’s talking shit about their team,” he said.
