USA soccer fans are still buzzing about their team’s start to the 2026 World Cup, as they have now won their first two group-stage games after beating Australia 2-0 on June 19.
Because of its success, the USA has already won Group D outright and has advanced to the knockout rounds.
And because of this success, beloved former USA goalkeeper Tim Howard thinks the U.S. side might be susceptible to losing its final group-stage game against Türkiye, which he conveyed during a recent episode of his “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast.
“I still think we’re going to win the game [against Australia]. I think we’re going to win the group. I truly believe we’re gonna win three games in this group,” Howard said.
“Now, there are scenarios… where, the U.S. win this game [against Australia], they can clinch first place,” Howard added. “And if that happens, then I say [I’m] not sure [USA will win all three group-stage games], because I think we’ll down tools and rest everybody against Türkiye, if we’ve already clinched first… In that case, then maybe [the USA doesn’t] win three games.”
Now that USA beat Australia and Paraguay beat Türkiye on June 19, USA has officially won the group, despite still having its game against Türkiye to play on June 25.
Therefore, the scenario that Howard was alluding to is in play, and definitely makes it seem like the USA’s chances of winning its final group-stage game might have decreased (since it doesn’t need to win in order to win the group).
It remains to be seen whether USA coach Mauricio Pochettino will indeed rest players for the USA’s final group-stage game. And even if he does, the USA is playing so well right now that it might not even matter.
