EXCLUSIVE: US Men's Soccer Team to Host Australia in October Friendly in Denver

In a blockbuster soccer World Cup tune-up, Dimers.com can exclusively reveal the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) will host fellow 2026 World Cup participants Australia in an international friendly this fall.

The match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, and will be played at either Dick's Sporting Goods Stadium in Colorado, home of MLS's Rapids, or Empower Field at Mile High, home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos.

This fixture is another significant step in the USMNT’s build-up toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which they will co-host with Canada and Mexico.

The Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The US qualified automatically for the 2026 World Cup as one of the three host nations. Their preparations began in earnest, kicking off their 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign in style with a commanding 5-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago, followed by wins against Saudi Arabia (1-0) and Haiti (2-1) to book their place in the Quarter Finals. 

Australia, meanwhile, had to battle their way through the grueling Asian qualification process. Finishing second in their group behind Japan, the Socceroos clinched qualification with their own hardfought win over Saudi Arabia (2-1) in the Middle East.

This October encounter is part of a deliberate effort by the U.S. Soccer Federation and Football Australia to test their national teams against top-tier, globally diverse opponents. The USMNT's match against Australia will follow the previously announced high-profile friendlies against Japan and South Korea in September, setting the stage for a valuable series of tactical tests against fellow World Cup-bound nations.

“The decision to add Australia to the USMNT’s pre-World Cup schedule - following confirmation of fixtures against fellow Asian Football Confederation teams Japan and South Korea - is no accident,” a source close to the USMNT shared.

“It speaks volumes about Mauricio Pochettino’s respect for AFC opposition and his desire to test the squad against some of the world's most underrated nations.”

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USA and Australia: The History

The United States Men’s National Team and Australia’s Socceroos have only met three times in their history, making this upcoming friendly in Denver a rare but intriguing matchup. The all-time record between the two nations is dead even: one win apiece and one draw. Australia edged the US 1-0 in their first encounter in 1992, the sides played to a scoreless draw in 1998, and the USMNT claimed a 3-1 victory in their most recent meeting, a friendly ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

A Clash of Coaches: Pochettino vs. Popovic

This latest USMNT friendly pits two high-profile managers head-to-head, both of whom have only recently taken over their national squads.

Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager, continues his evolution as USMNT head coach, bringing European tactical sophistication and an aggressive, modern playing style to the American squad.

On the opposite bench will be Tony Popovic, the Asian Champions League winning coach led the Socceroos through a challenging AFC qualification campaign, culminating in a clutch 2-1 away win over Saudi Arabia to seal their place at next year's World Cup.

With both coaches looking to shape their squads ahead of next summer’s global spectacle, this matchup offers a critical opportunity for tactical experimentation and player assessment.

The Challenge: Will Altitude Bring Australia Undone?

Denver provides a dramatic backdrop for what promises to be a compelling encounter. Known for their elevation and electric atmospheres, the Denver venues add another layer of intrigue to the clash, potentially challenging Australia’s squad with the effects of playing at 5,280 feet above seas level.

This will be a rare appearance for the USMNT in the Mile High City and a treat for fans in the region, who will get a first-hand glimpse of their national team against a determined and talented Australian outfit.

What’s at Stake?

While it’s “just” a friendly on paper, the implications are far-reaching. With both teams shaping up for the final stretch of preparation ahead of the World Cup in 2026, expect high intensity, fierce competition for starting roles, and plenty of tactical insights.

Stay tuned to Dimers.com for more exclusive soccer World Cup updates, squad announcements, and matchday previews as the October 14th clash in Denver approaches.