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The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) has officially booked their spot in the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and they’ve caught the attention of football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
After a commanding 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle on Friday, the USMNT secured back-to-back World Cup wins for the first time since 1930. The result has sparked a wave of optimism across the country, with fans, pundits, and even Swedish superstars starting to believe something special is happening.
What Happened: USMNT 2-0 Australia
The Americans dominated the first half against the Socceroos at Lumen Field in Seattle. An early own goal by Cameron Burgess (created by a dazzling Folarin Balogun run) gave the US the lead in the 11th minute. Then, 21-year-old Alex Freeman — playing in just his second World Cup match — rose to score a header in the 43rd minute, sealing the win after a VAR review.
| Stat | USMNT | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 0 |
| Possession | 58% | 42% |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 2 |
| Corners | 6 | 3 |
| Fouls | 10 | 14 |
Zlatan’s Verdict: “Start Believing”
Speaking on Fox Sports after the match, Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn’t hold back his praise for Pochettino’s squad. Asked if the USMNT could actually win the 2026 World Cup, his answer was simple: “Yes.”
“If you didn’t believe before, I will repeat: start believing. They have the country behind them, and when you have this support, it’s difficult to beat you.”
— Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The former LA Galaxy and AC Milan striker emphasized that the USMNT has the momentum needed to make a deep run. “Whatever happened before the World Cup doesn’t matter. It’s important what happens now. The momentum they have, that’s what they need.”
Pochettino’s Impact Is Real
Mauricio Pochettino has transformed this USMNT squad since taking over. The team now plays with belief, structure, and attacking intent. After the Australia win, Pochettino praised the Seattle crowd: “Argentina have amazing fans, but I think we are matching Argentina. I’m so happy for them.”
Defender Chris Richards summed up the team’s mindset: “We want to lift a trophy at the end of this. Every time we play, we want to win.”
What’s Next: Turkiye vs USA
With qualification already secured, the USMNT now faces Turkiye in Los Angeles for their final group stage match. A win would secure top spot in the group and potentially offer a more favorable path in the knockout rounds.
- June 22 — Turkiye vs USA (Group Stage, Los Angeles)
- Round of 16 — TBD (late June / early July)
FAQ
When did the USMNT last win back-to-back World Cup games before 2026?
The USMNT had not won consecutive World Cup matches since 1930, when they reached the semifinals in the inaugural tournament.
Is Christian Pulisic injured?
Yes, Pulisic missed the Australia match due to a calf injury. His status for the knockout rounds is still being evaluated. Ricardo Pepi started in his place alongside Folarin Balogun.
Where can I watch the USMNT vs Turkiye match?
The match will be broadcast on Fox Sports and streamed on FuboTV. Check your local listings for exact times.
Has Zlatan been right about World Cup predictions before?
Zlatan is known for bold predictions, but he’s never predicted a non-European/South American team to win before. His backing of the USMNT is unprecedented.
Final Verdict
The USMNT is playing with a level of belief and quality we haven’t seen in decades. Folarin Balogun is proving to be a world-class striker, Alex Freeman has emerged as a breakout star, and Pochettino’s tactical setup is clicking. Can they actually win it? The knockout rounds will tell — but for the first time in nearly a century, it’s not a crazy question to ask.
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