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Australia coach Tony Popovic shared his thoughts on officiating following Friday’s 2-0 loss to the United States in Seattle.
“I think today was not the best day for the referee,” Popovic told reporters after the match.
A controversial moment came when the Americans appeared to score their second goal. The play was initially called off for offside, but after a VAR review, officials determined the goal was valid and left it standing.
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Tony Popovic, head coach of Australia, reacts during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match between the United States and Australia at Seattle Stadium, Washington on June 19, 2026. (Sarah Stier/FIFA/Getty Images)
The United States found the back of the net late in the 43rd minute after a free kick was saved, then Alex Freeman, the son of former NFL player Antonio Freeman, headed the ball home. The score was immediately contested by the Australians, who felt that their goalkeeper had been interfered with or that there was an offside. After a VAR review, the call was upheld and the goal was awarded.
Tensions flared at the end of the match when a physical altercation broke out. Australian Harry Souttar grabbed American Folarin Balogun in what commentators described as a “rear naked choke”. Zwayer regained control by showing yellow cards to Balogun, Souttar and Australian Jacob Italiano.
Australia received four yellow cards, while the United States received three.
Popovic was seen approaching German referee Felix Zwayer after the match, with urgency.
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Alex Freeman of the United States heads the ball to score a goal past Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach during the World Cup Group D soccer match in Seattle June 19, 2026. (Maddy Grassy/AP Photo)
Zwayer also stopped with a cramp late in the U.S. victory. The German official, 45, needed help from American Folarin Balogun and Australian Aiden O’Neill, who stretched his left leg after Zwayer fell to the turf.
The coach nevertheless gave credit to the Americans and admitted that his players looked “slow” on Friday.
“I don’t know if it’s the occasion, but we looked slow, heavy-legged… They won every duel, they won every second ball and when you do that it’s very difficult to gain momentum. And then we conceded two easy goals,” he said.
“When you think, you know, this noise here – the host country – I think the players show how good they are in the second half, but obviously at this level you can’t say the same in the first.”
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FIFA referee Felix Zwayer, suffering from cramps, reminded us how physically demanding the job of a football referee is. (Photo by Sarah Stier – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
With their 2-0 record, the United States sits in first place with six points, while Australia remains with three and in second place. Paraguay and Turkey, who face off Friday to potentially determine the U.S.’s fate in the group, are winless with zero points.
The United States would earn a victory in Group D and a favorable draw in the round of 16 if Paraguay beats or ties with Turkey – that match kicks off at 11 p.m. ET.
