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The Live Sport Bible is here!Hill: USA seriously underestimating Socceroos (dont publish)
Andrew Slevison • June 4th, 2026 3:00 pm
The USA are seriously underestimating Australia ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup clash between the two nations later this month.
Former US star Landon Donovan said there was a “smugness” about Tony Popovic following the draw after the Socceroos learnt they would be playing the USA, Turkey and Paraguay in Group D.
Donovan said at the time: “He just had this smugness about him and I'm like, 'Alright, I can't wait. I wish I was on the field — like, I wanna play these guys’.”
The former LA Galaxy star, Bayern Munich and Everton loanee also suggested: “It's a team I think we should beat.”
An ex-MLS player who also spent time in England, Mike Grella (no relation to Vince), reckons this fixture is a “lay-up” for the US.
He later said: “If USA can't beat Australia in a football match, stay home.”
The underestimations came thick and fast with US soccer icon Alexi Lalas saying post-draw: “If you believe in the soccer gods, you should be thanking them.”
And former MLS striker Charlie Davies labelled the group “a dream scenario” for the Americans.
But all of this talk should give Popovic and the Socceroos great motivation to beat the Yanks on their home soil in Seattle on June 20.
“For all the Americans have been saying, particularly about this group, I think it’s pretty even,” Hill said on SEN 1170.
“I think Australia have a decent chance of getting through.
“I must admit having seen some of the clips - and they’re isolated clips so you don’t know exactly what the context is - but it’s funny that they are so seriously underestimating Australia.
“Which hopefully will be pinned up on the dressing room wall of Australia before they go out to play in Seattle against the Americans.
“I think it’s great, they’ve done Tony Popovic’s team talk for him, for that particular game.
“But obviously before that there’s Turkey (on June 14) and then there’s Paraguay (on June 26) afterwards.
“There’s a lot of work to do. I’m not saying they’ll definitely go through but I think that match against the Americans might just be a bit spicy because of those comments.”
Popovic released his final 26-man Socceroos squad earlier this week and Hill is excited about what this group of players can produce in North America.
He likes the experienced core inclusive of goalkeeper Mat Ryan, attacker Mathew Leckie and midfielder Jackson Irvine.
But he is most keen to see the impact made by Australia’s youthful cohort including Dutch-based left-back Jordy Bos, English-based attacking pair Nestory Irankunda and Mo Toure, and Italian-born central defender Alessandro Circati.
“I’m excited by the team to be honest,” Hill added.
“You look at the core of the side and it’s a good blend of experience with the likes of Maty Ryan and one or two others. But it’s the younger players that I think give Australia a really good core going forward.
“Jordy Bos, who I think will end up in the Premier League sooner than later. Fantastic at left-back, or in a more advanced role.
“You look at Nestory Irankunda who has not anywhere near hit his ceiling yet. We know what a talent he is.
“Alessandro Circati playing in one of the toughest competitions in the world in Serie A.
“The emergence of Mohamed Toure at Norwich City. We always knew he had talent but the way he’s arrived in the Championship and really taken it by the scruff of its neck has been a real eyebrow raiser.
“Overall, the core of that team I think is better than a lot of people around the world actually know. I know the results of late have been a bit up and down but that’s all part of the preparation for a big tournament.”
Then there is the controversial selection of Aussie-born and raised Italian defector Cristian Volpato.
The 22-year-old shunned the advances of the Socceroos ahead of the 2022 World Cup while taunting the team on Snapchat during a loss to Japan in that year’s qualifying campaign.
But after another failed Italian World Cup qualification and the fact he was often overlooked by the Azzurri, Volpato opted to make himself available for Australia in this year’s edition.
Hill says he now must deliver.
“Now the inclusion of Cristian Volpato. I’m a little bit torn on it to be honest,” he said of the former Roma and current Sassuolo attacking midfielder.
“Like many Australians I’ve seen some of the discussions around him over the past years. Clearly he initially wanted to play for Italy.
“The fact he’s not been involved in qualifying, I can understand why there’s a little bit of an outcry against his inclusion from some quarters.
“If I was Martin Boyle I’d be rather irritated.
“But he’s a good player from what I’m led to believe. I’ve never seen him pay to be honest so I can’t give you any insight into how good he is. You look at his CV and it’s decent.
“Tony Popovic obviously feels he can add something to the team. The proof will be in the pudding. Let’s see if he performs if called upon in North America.
“He’s been given an opportunity and he’s got to deliver.”
Hill will be calling the 2026 FIFA World Cup acrosds the SEN network.
The FIFA World Cup 26™ in the USA, Mexico and Canada kicks off on Friday, June 12. You can hear EVERY GAME LIVE across the SEN network.
