The United States<\/a> qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/a> knockout rounds on Friday, topping Australia 2-0<\/a> in Group D play at Seattle Stadium.<\/p>\n Then, following Paraguay’s 1-0 win<\/a> over T\u00fcrkiye later Friday evening, the USMNT won Group D outright with a game to spare.\u00a0<\/p>\n The US struck early via an own goal, just like in last week’s 4-1 rout<\/a> of Paraguay. They’re now the first World Cup team to benefit from an own goal in two consecutive matches.\u00a0<\/p>\n This time, Aussie defender Cameron Burgess unintentionally put the tournament co-hosts ahead before Orlando City<\/a> homegrown product Alex Freeman’s header doubled the lead shortly before halftime.<\/p>\n Even without injured forward Christian Pulisic, the USMNT created the lion’s share of chances in the second half and could have won by a more lopsided scoreline.<\/p>\n Head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s squad will close out Group D action on June 25 against T\u00fcrkiye in Los Angeles, hoping to maintain momentum before the Round of 32 in the Bay Area.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n