Pat McAfee went bold on social media during the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Australia, declaring “USA IS GONNA WIN THE WORLD CUP” as the Americans secured momentum for the knockout race at 2026 FIFA World Cup group play.
When the USMNT broke Australia’s stubborn resistance and surged ahead 2-0. Pat McAfee didn’t just watch from afar—he put his prediction out there in real time. During the match on Friday. the TV personality turned football fan backed his belief in the biggest prize with a blunt message aimed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“USA IS GONNA WIN THE WORLD CUP,” McAfee said during the contest as the U.S. controlled Matchday 2.
The timing wasn’t accidental. Going into the match against Australia, the U.S. were riding momentum after torching Paraguay 4-1 in the group opener. That early statement had raised expectations heading into their second group game. with attention on the national team growing as the tournament moved quickly toward knockout implications.
Australia arrived with its own evidence that this group won’t be forgiving. In Matchday 1, Australia stunned Turkiye 2-0, forcing the U.S. to treat every possession like it mattered.
And it did—because a U.S. win would punch their ticket to the knockout stage. That made Friday’s contest one of those matches where the margin between comfort and pressure can disappear in a single swing of momentum.
The U.S. made the difference early, opening the scoring after Australia conceded an own goal. From there, the Americans kept pushing, and the game finally sealed itself at the 43rd minute. Alex Freeman fired the shot into the net, and the team celebrated after officials confirmed the goal.
The result put the U.S. on top of Group D standings above Australia, Turkiye and Paraguay. With six points and counting, the Americans also moved closer to securing first place, needing other results to fully lock down the top spot and set a strong pathway in the knockout bracket.
For McAfee, the declaration landed over a performance that backed the confidence. The U.S. had already shown they could make an early impact after their 4-1 win over Paraguay, and against Australia they followed up with a clean 2-0 result.
Now the focus shifts to finishing group play. The USMNT take on Turkiye with kickoff set for June 25 at 10 p.m. ET, where the momentum McAfee is betting on will have one more chance to become reality—or be tested again.
Pat McAfee USMNT Australia 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D Alex Freeman own goal Paraguay Turkiye June 25 10 p.m. ET
So Pat McAfee really said that and then they won? Coincidence but I’m buying it lol
I don’t know who Alex Freeman is but that goal sounds like it mattered. Also USA winning 2026 World Cup feels like jinxing it by saying it out loud.
Wait, was the 2-0 against Australia or was it like… Australia vs Turkey? The article says so much. Either way, I feel like the own goal doesn’t count as real scoring, so how are we acting like that’s destiny.
I mean I love the energy but why do they always talk like it’s already decided. Next game vs Turkiye June 25? Cool. I bet McAfee’s “USA IS GONNA WIN” turns into “USA should’ve done more” the second they draw 0-0 or whatever. Still though, 4-1 then 2-0 is pretty wild.