The US men’s national team can secure a crucial victory on Friday against Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle. A win, with help from Paraguay’s simultaneous match, would clinch first place in Group D for the 2026 World Cup co-hosts.
Both teams are locked at 3 points. The US earned theirs in a dominant 4-1 dismantling of Paraguay on June 12. FIFA’s updated tiebreaker rules for the expanded 48-team format prioritize the head-to-head result, making this 3 p.m. ET showdown decisive if the teams finish level on points.
To clinch the top spot outright, the Americans also need Paraguay to hold or beat Turkey, preventing Australia from leveraging secondary tiebreakers.
The match also highlights a new commercial era for the tournament. Kraken, named FIFA’s first Official Crypto Exchange Supporter, secured global brand exposure across broadcasts and in-stadium signage. The partnership may drive retail trading volume in national team fan tokens, particularly during high-stakes host nation games like this one.