Live: US set to be without key star as Socceroos make two big changes

1 1 1 1 0 1 2 0 7 1 2 2 1 0 5 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 1 1 4 3 0 3 1 1 1 4 2 1 0 1 3 1 1 4 1 6 0 1 0 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - live World Cup live updates: Socceroos take on USA in Seattle blockbuster After a tense and at times spiteful build-up, knockout-stage qualification goes on the line as the Socceroos lock horns with tournament co-host the USA in Seattle. The Socceroos will secure progression from Group D with victory. - Check out the full World Cup schedule here in Australian times - ABC Sport podcast: Popovic, Pulisic and Pochettino — your Socceroos/USA primer Follow all the action in our live blog. Submit a comment or question Live updates New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters Sat 20 Jun 2026 at 3:59am When are the Socceroos playing? Here's everything you need to know from a logistical point of view for today's match. I'd have initially thought it's a bit early for live sites, but that was put out of my mind pretty quickly when I saw people drifting towards the South Bank site here in Brisbane as I made my way into the office. In any case, there's still time for you to get to your closest! They're all listed by state in the article. Key Event Sat 20 Jun 2026 at 3:56am Two changes for the Socceroos Tony Popovic has made two changes of his own for today's match, with star striker Nestory Irankunda rotated out of the starting line up and onto the bench. Somewhat surprisingly, the other goal scorer against Türkiye, Connor Metcalfe, will also start on the bench. Mathew Leckie and Nishan Velupillay come into the starting IX. Key Event Sat 20 Jun 2026 at 3:52am Pulisic out of US team A huge blow for the USA as Christian Pulisic is confirmed to be out of today's match. PSV striker Ricardo Pepi will replace him in what is the only change to the USA side that thrashed Paraguay on matchday one. Massive news. Sat 20 Jun 2026 at 3:48am Pulisic problems as US star set to miss game All week the USA have been sweating on the fitness of Christian Pulisic. The AC Milan star was brilliant against Paraguay until coming off at half time with a calf issue. Reports from the US camp in the last 10 minutes or so suggest that 27-year-old is out of the game - but that is yet to be confirmed. It's a massive deal, because his importance to the US cause is immeasurable. Only Landon Donovan has contributed to more goals for the US in the World Cup since 1990 than Christian Pulisic's four, tied with Clint Dempsey. He has been training away from the main squad for the past four days. His teammates certainly hoped he'd be fit. "Christian, for me, is one of the top five wingers in the world," Tim Weah said earlier this week. "He's one of my favorite players to watch. Being able to play alongside him for a long time has been amazing. Just the little things that he does, he's such a humble player. "I think you get caught up in a lot of the noise, but Christian is amazing. He showed it against Paraguay. His ability when he's able to be on the ball is amazing. It helps the team. I'm super proud of him. "Hopefully he'll be ready for Friday." Brenden Aaronson said he was "really hoping" that Pulisic would be back when he was spoken to earlier this week, while Weston McKennie said "I know he really wants to be in and he's doing everything that he can," when asked about it yesterday. Mauricio Pochettino was keeping tight lipped yesterday. "We’ll see," the US coach said. "At the moment, we'll see. If he’s not available for tomorrow, he will be available for the next game." Sat 20 Jun 2026 at 3:45am Happy Socceroos Saturday Hello folks and welcome to the ABC Sport coverage of a massive morning of World Cup action. It's the Socceroos against the hosts, the USA, in Seattle and another massive game for the nation to get behind. My name is Simon Smale and I, like hundreds of others, have shuffled through the dark streets of Australian capital cities towards a match that is being greeted with optimism and trepidation in equal measure. Tom Wildie is at the ground in Seattle for all the colour, he'll be joining us throughout the morning. As for the rest of you, welcome.