USMNT to play Ecuador, Australia in Oct. friendlies

The United States volition play Ecuador and Australia successful a brace of friendlies successful October arsenic portion of its mentation for the 2026 World Cup, U.S. Soccer announced connected Monday.

With nary competitory matches betwixt present and the commencement of World Cup -- hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada -- successful June, the friendlies against 2 sides who person already qualified for the tourney volition beryllium a important portion of the team's buildup.

The archetypal lucifer against Ecuador volition beryllium connected Oct. 10 astatine Q2 Stadium successful Austin, Texas, followed by a 2nd affable with Australia connected Oct. 14 astatine Dick's Sporting Goods Park successful Commerce City, Colorado.

Ecuador volition marque its 5th quality successful a World Cup adjacent summer, and Australia is acceptable to marque the country's sixth consecutive quality astatine FIFA's planetary showpiece erstwhile games statesman connected June 11.

Mauricio Pochettino's U.S. side, which has already qualified arsenic 1 of the tourney hosts, is coming disconnected a second-place decorativeness to Mexico successful this summer's Gold Cup aft finishing a disappointing 4th successful the Nations League finals successful March.

The U.S. has already scheduled friendlies with South Korea connected Sept. 6 successful Harrison, New Jersey, and Japan 3 days aboriginal successful Columbus, Ohio.

Following the October friendlies, the U.S. volition person a brace of exhibitions successful some November and March.

Information from The Associated Press was utilized successful this story.