USA’s possible opponents for the remainder of the 2026 World Cup have been mapped out after Mauricio Pochettino’s side made a barnstorming start to the tournament. A 4-1 win over Paraguay in their opener set the tone, while Friday night’s 2-0 victory over Australia saw them achieve something they had not managed at football’s showpiece event since 1930 – winning back-to-back matches.

Folarin Balogun, Malik Tillman, and Sergino Dest have been among the standout performers so far, and the Stars and Stripes now need just a draw against Türkiye in their final group game to book their place in the Round of 32 as group winners. In many ways, they have already gone a long way towards proving they are far more of a footballing nation than many outsiders ever gave them credit for.

What’s more, a glance at the USA’s potential route through the knockout stages is only likely to fuel the growing belief around the camp. Confidence is understandably high after such an impressive start, and some supporters are already daring to dream after the performance of one star this weekend.

While there is still a long road ahead and plenty of twists and turns to come, the draw appears to have opened the door for Pochettino’s side to make a deep run and potentially make history if they can keep this momentum rolling.

USA’s Current 2026 World Cup Knockout Route

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Kiyoshi Mio

As things stand, the USA would face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 – a side that needed penalties twice to come through qualifying. Given the form Pochettino’s men have shown so far, they will be confident of overcoming a nation currently ranked 64th in FIFA’s World Rankings.

Victory there would set up a last-16 tie against either New Zealand or the Czech Republic, according to the BBC’s live knockout bracket updater. On paper, neither presents an insurmountable obstacle, offering a realistic chance of progressing even further.

The draw remains relatively kind beyond that, too. As it stands, Uruguay are the highest-ranked team they could face in the quarter-finals, unless Ghana, Austria, or tournament debutants DR Congo can spring a surprise and eliminate the two-time world champions beforehand.

A place in the semi-finals would mark the USA’s best World Cup finish since 1930, when they reached the final four and eventually placed third. That alone would represent a major achievement, although a meeting with one of Brazil, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, or Morocco would almost certainly be the end of a fairytale run-in.

USA Have Been At Their Free-Flowing Best On Home Soil

Of course, some perspective is required given the USA are yet to face a traditional footballing powerhouse. Even so, much of their early success – which has helped generate a real feel-good factor around the host nation – stems from Pochettino allowing his players to play with the handbrake off.

While many managers in charge of an underdog would favour a more rigid approach, often accepting they are unlikely to dominate possession, the former Tottenham boss has instilled a belief within his squad that they are good enough to dictate games themselves. As a result, the USA have played with confidence on the ball and been given the freedom to express themselves in attacking areas.

They look a completely different side from the one seen under Pochettino’s predecessors, and that transformation owes as much to a change in mentality as it does to improvements in player development. The growing profile of MLS has undoubtedly played its part too, helping create an environment in which more top-level talent can emerge and flourish.

A win against Turkiye next week will be their biggest statement of intent yet, given the two nations are in similar positions whereby its time for their growth to make way for results.

Having started the 2026 World Cup with a bang – thumping Paraguay 4-1 – the US then took on Australia in their second Group D game. Playing in Seattle, they came away with a 2-0 win, built upon an excellent first-half display.

Despite missing star man Christian Pulisic through injury, the home team looked to be full of confidence as they started with great intensity. This helped Mauricio Pochettino’s men take a lead when Folarin Balogun forced an own goal in off Cameron Burgess after just 11 minutes.

Before the break, the USMNT had doubled their lead, with Alex Freeman surviving an initial offside call, with VAR allowing the goal to stand, with the American clearly onside. In the second half, Australia settled and looked a little more threatening. But they didn’t do enough to mount a comeback, with the home team hanging on to claim a 2-0 victory.

BBC Pundits Impressed by One USMNT Star

US players via Reuters/Troy Wayrynen

In particular, Balogun really caught the eye. Having scored a brace in that opening win against Paraguay, he once again looked lively in this game. Former France World Cup winner Olivier Giroud was blown away by Balogun’s efforts. He said on the BBC Sport coverage:

Theo Walcott also said he ‘loves’ the fact that the US striker is ‘so positive’, while adding that the player is great at ‘exposing centre-halves’ with his pace. That speed was apparent for the opening goal, while Balogun’s electric movement caused more problems in the second half as he won multiple corners.

Speaking to the press after the game, Balogun said, ‘It means everything’ to hear the US fans chanting his name in the stadium. He added: “To be able to replay the fans on the biggest stage means the world to me.”

US Fans Blown Away by Balogun vs Australia

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Kiyoshi Mio

The BBC pundits weren’t the only ones to be impressed by the Monaco star either. Indeed, it’s fair to say the US fans were more than happy with Balogun’s efforts on the day. One said:

Another added: “Balogun really is incredible.” While a third word: “Balogun might be the best to ever put on a USMNT kit.” One more simply said: “Balogun is brilliant.”

With Balogun leading the way, many US fans are starting to believe that they are going to win the World Cup. One said:

Another added: “We are actually going to win the World Cup.” With a third adding: “The USA really are going to win the World Cup.”

With six points from their opening two games, the US have confirmed their place in the next round of the competition. If they can make it three wins from three in their final group game (against Turkey), confidence will be sky high.

When you are quite probably the greatest footballer of all time, everything you do will attract attention. Some of it will be good, but some of it will be unwanted. It’s the latter for Lionel Messi, despite his recent hat-trick to kick off Argentina’s World Cup campaign.

The 38-year-old was on fire as he smashed in three goals against Algeria to give his nation a 3-0 win in their Group J opener. Messi’s display in ​Kansas City left fans and pundits purring, as he took his tally of World Cup goals to 16 in total, now level with record holder Miroslav Klose.

In the aftermath of that game, however, one nation has now lodged an official complaint to FIFA.

Algeria Make Complaint Over Two Issues After Argentina Loss

Siphiwe Sibeko via Reuters

According to Reuters, Algeria have lodged a complaint about ‘alleged poor refereeing’ during their 3-0 loss to Argentina in their opening World Cup fixture. The report adds that ‘a source with direct knowledge of the matter’ has revealed that a letter was sent to FIFA’s refereeing commission, with particular reference to the first-half incident when Messi stood on the calf of ​Algeria captain Aissa Mandi.

While the team from Africa immediately argued that it should have been a red card, the iconic forward ⁠was not punished. Adding insult to injury, he then went on to score a hat-trick.

Beyond the Messi incident, Algeria also claim that an elbow from Liverpool midfielder Alexis ​Mac Allister in the face of Ibrahim Maza should have been punished. They question why it went unpunished by Szymon Marciniak. The experienced Polish referee, who was in charge of the 2022 World Cup final (won by Argentina on penalties against France), was within a meter of the incident when Mac Allister ​appeared to body-check Maza with a raised elbow.

Algeria’s complaint raises questions about Marciniak’s performance and that ​of his VAR team, led by compatriot Tomasz Kwiatkowski.

Pundits Offer Clear Verdict on Messi Incident vs Algeria

The general consensus was that Messi probably should have been sent off for the foul. ESPN pundit Nedum Onuoha said: think it should have been a red card, in my opinion. It feels like the moment was missed.” He added: “The referee’s probably missed it – and I understand why he’s missed it – but for the video assistant referee [VAR] to look at that and say ‘no, that’s all fine, there’s nothing more to it’… I personally think that’s worthy of a red.”

Onuoha’s co-pundit, the former Venezuela international Ale Moreno, went even further by claiming it was “100% a red card for Lionel Messi. It should have been.”

Piers Morgan was a little more forthright with his criticism of the challenge, noting:

Argentina will ace Austria in Dallas next, while Algeria take on Jordan in San ​Francisco.