United States midfielder Sebastian Berhalter says the team won't back down ahead of its World Cup 2026 clash with Australia.

What's at stake?

The two nations meet on Saturday at 5am (AEST), with the US looking to build on its impressive World Cup-opening victory. Berhalter credits coach Mauricio Pochettino for the team's newfound tenacity, saying 'I think one is that we're American. We don't take s***.'

What happened last time?

The US and Australia met in a friendly last October, which ended in a 2-1 victory for the Americans. Pochettino lambasted his team at half-time, imploring them to stand up for themselves after the Socceroos delivered physical tackles and punishing play. | Stat | Value | | --- | --- | | Date | October 2025 | | Score | 2-1 |

What comes next?

The US team is prepared for the physical and mental challenges of the World Cup, with Berhalter saying 'we're American. We don't take s***.' The team's improvements in temperament and tactics have been obvious, and the World Cup could be the place where everything blossoms. And with coach Pochettino at the helm, the US team is looking to make a statement. So what can we expect from the US team in the upcoming clash with Australia? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain - the US team is ready to put up a fight.