I spent nearly the entire day yesterday (Thursday) traveling up to Seattle, in order to catch a clinical dose of World Cup fever in person as the US took on Australia in the iconic stadium of the Seattle Seahawks (whatever the name of it may be temporarily). I’m quite excited, even if I would prefer a slightly later kickoff than high noon.
So I didn’t get to watch any of the games on Day 8 (Sirius XM simulcast of FOX Sports is poor substitute), but it looks like Canada, Switzerland, and Mexico did alright, and the Czechs disappointed once again. Bah.
Here’s hoping for no letdowns from Pochettino’s boys today. LFG.
USA vs. AUSTRALIA
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with Christian Pulisic #10 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with Christian Pulisic #10 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
FIFA via Getty Images
It’s Juneteenth here in the States, a federal holiday. Most people have the day off. The nation’s primed to celebrate soccer. The 4-1 win over Paraguay in the US’s opening game only served to heighten the emotions, the expectations, the excitement. Catch the fever!
Australia also won their first game 2-0, putting on a counter-attacking clinic while holding Turkey at arm’s length. It wasn’t complicated, it wasn’t groundbreaking, but it was, as ever, quite effective. They will be looking to do the same again today.
Date / Time: Friday, June 19, 2026, 3pm EDT; 8pm BST
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA, USA
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); BBC One (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); BBC iPlayer (UK)
Chelsea interest: Christian Pulisic took a star turn for the US in their first game, bringing back fond memories of Lockdown Pulisic from the long ago days of the year 2020. Can you believe that was six years ago already!? Pulisic did get subbed off early as precaution for a calf concern — he’s questionable to play in this one after being limited in training all week.
SCOTLAND vs. MOROCCO
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 14: Members of the Tartan Army, Team Scotland World Cup supporters, are seen in the stands prior to the game between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Sunday, June 14, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JUNE 14: Members of the Tartan Army, Team Scotland World Cup supporters, are seen in the stands prior to the game between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Sunday, June 14, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Natalie Reid/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MLB Photos via Getty Images
Scotland got their first win at a World Cup in forever when they beat Haiti, 1-0 in their opening match. Since t hen, their fans have become social media darlings, showing up at Boston Red Sox baseball games and local area children’s hospitals. Great stuff!
So it’s all going great for them, though they may find Morocco a tougher nut to crack. The Champions of Africa by Administrative Decision outplayed mighty Brazil in their first game, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi is one of the early breakout stars of this World Cup.
Date / Time: Friday, June 19, 2026, 6pm EDT; 11pm BST
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA, USA
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)
On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)
Chelsea interest: None, though Morocco’s Samir El Mourabet also earned some rave reviews for his performance against Brazil, and he’s already in the BlueCo system at Strasbourg.
BRAZIL vs. HAITI
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 18: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil, during the press conference of Brazil one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Haiti at Philadelphia Stadium on June 18, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hannah Peters - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 18: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil, during the press conference of Brazil one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Haiti at Philadelphia Stadium on June 18, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Hannah Peters - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
FIFA via Getty Images
Speaking of Brazil, here’s a must-win game for them already. Still no Neymar.
Date / Time: Friday, June 19, 2026, 9pm EDT; 2am BST (next day)
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Referee: Alejandro Hernández Hernández (Spain)
On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)
Chelsea interest: Well, none, since all of our Brazilian player were left off the final squad by Carlo Ancelotti.
TURKEY vs. PARAGUAY
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 13: Fans of Turkiye show their support before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Australia and Türkiye at BC Place Vancouver on June 13, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 13: Fans of Turkiye show their support before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between Australia and Türkiye at BC Place Vancouver on June 13, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Both teams would’ve been quite disappointed with their performances in their respective first games, and will be looking to do a lot better to stay in with a good chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds.
Date / Time: Friday, June 19, 2026, 9pm PDT; 5am BST (next day)
Venue: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA, USA
Referee: Iván Barton (El Salvador)
On TV: FOX Sports 1, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)
Chelsea interest: None.