Friday is the day Group C and Group D start to take real shape. Three games, two of them with direct knockout implications, one with the small matter of a host nation defending top spot in front of a sold-out Lumen Field. Here's what to watch, who to back, and where the permutations sit.
USA vs Australia — 15:00 ET, Lumen Field, Seattle
Both teams sit on three points after opening wins. The USA were imperious in Atlanta against Paraguay, scoring four with Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun both on the board. Australia stunned Türkiye 2-0 in Toronto with a performance that vindicated Tony Popovic's risk on a younger spine. Whoever wins this one is almost certainly through to the round of 32 with a game to spare.
Pulisic's status is the only real question for Pochettino. He came off at half-time on Sunday with a knock, but both manager and captain Tyler Adams have said he's fit. Expect an unchanged starting eleven — Freese in goal, Robinson and Freeman the full-backs, Ream and Richards centrally, Adams sitting, McKennie and Tillman the eights, Pulisic and Dest the wingers, Balogun the nine. Australia will pack in deep and hope to spring Mathew Leckie on the counter. The USA are heavy favourites, but Australia under Popovic have made a habit of frustrating better teams.
Scotland vs Morocco — 18:00 ET, Gillette Stadium, Foxboro
The most consequential 90 minutes Scotland have played in a generation. Steve Clarke's side beat Haiti in their opener — a chaotic 2-1 with John McGinn the headline act — and victory here guarantees a knockout spot. Beat Morocco and hope Brazil don't win, and Scotland top the group. Lose, and Tartan Army nerves return for the final matchday against the favourites.
Morocco are the reigning African champions and a vastly more experienced tournament side, but they wobbled in their 1-1 opener with Brazil. Achraf Hakimi is their everything down the right — Andy Robertson's defensive afternoon will be the tactical centrepiece. Scotland's path is the simple one: discipline, set pieces, McGinn finding pockets. They've never made the knockout round of a major tournament. They've never been this close, either.
Brazil vs Haiti — 20:30 ET, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti are a different team to the one that staggered out of Qatar in 2022. They drew their opener against Morocco — frustrating, but a draw with the African champions is not a crisis. Now they face the lowest-ranked side in the group, in front of a heavily pro-Brazil Philadelphia crowd. Anything but a comfortable win is a story.
Vinícius Júnior is expected to lead the line with Rodrygo on the left and Raphinha drifting in from the right. Casemiro anchors. Ancelotti is unlikely to risk Neymar from the start even though the bench is available. Haiti are courageous and well-organised — they pushed Scotland for 80 minutes — but the gulf in finishing quality should tell. Brazil to three or better is the obvious bet.
How the groups can settle tonight
- Group D: A USA or Australia win guarantees that team a knockout spot. A draw leaves things tighter and shifts the spotlight to Türkiye-Paraguay tomorrow.
- Group C: Scotland beating Morocco + Brazil beating Haiti = Brazil top, Scotland second, both through. A Morocco win blows the group wide open.
- Best third-place math: Four points from three games is starting to look like the bar to advance from third. That means even one win plus a draw can sneak a team through.
How to watch
FOX has the USA match in primetime alongside Telemundo's Spanish-language broadcast. Scotland-Morocco is on FS1 with coverage from late afternoon ET. Brazil-Haiti closes the night on FOX. Peacock and Fubo stream every match for cord-cutters.
For tonight's full schedule across every sport — the US Open is also live at Shinnecock — plus live tables, head over to Scorelisto soccer scores or the blog for the recap later tonight.
FAQ
Will Pulisic start vs Australia? Yes. Pochettino has said publicly he expects Pulisic available. The half-time substitution against Paraguay was precautionary.
Can Scotland actually win Group C? Yes — they need a win over Morocco plus Brazil failing to beat Haiti. It's not the likeliest scenario, but it's not far-fetched either.
Is Neymar in the Brazil squad? He's named in the 26 and trained this week, but Ancelotti has been managing his minutes. Cameo more likely than start tonight.
What time does the USA match kick off in the UK? 8 pm BST. Brazil-Haiti is 1:30 am BST on Saturday morning.