Australian star, coaches blast referee after 2-0 World Cup defeat to USA

A star player on Australia’s World Cup team spoke out against referee Felix Zwayer after a 2-0 loss to the United States on Friday, while the head coach and an assistant coach also complained about the referee.

Striker Nestory Irankunda said the referee had a “stench”.

“If you look at how the referee was today, [there’s] I can’t say much about it,” Irankunda told reporters after the match.

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“The ref smelled bad today, but I mean, it is what it is,” he said. “He called USA every time. I understand, but at the same time we know there are two teams on the field, so you have to call both ways and he didn’t do that today.”

Irankunda’s complaint came shortly after Australia coach Tony Popovic also criticized Zwayer.

“I thought the referee made too many fouls, in all honesty,” Popovic told reporters after the match. “Sometimes you didn’t have to do much to win a foul, and other times you had to do quite a bit to get one.

“Today I wouldn’t say it was the best day for the referee. We certainly felt like Australia today with the referees.”

One of the most controversial moments of the match came when the The Americans seem to be scoring 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.

The United States found the net late in the 43rd minute after a free kick was arrested, and then Alex Freeman, the son of former NFL player Antonio Freeman, headed a ball. The score was immediately protested by the Australians, who felt that their goalkeeper had been interfered with or that there had been an offside. After a VAR review, the call was upheld and the goal was awarded.

Popovic questioned the decision to let the score count after the match.

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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)

“I’m not sure about that. We felt it, but unfortunately it didn’t go in our favor,” Popovic said.

Meanwhile, Australia assistant coach Paul Okon argued that their goalkeeper Patrick Beach was hampered during the game.

“From what we understand, he probably got in the way of Beachy,” Okon said at halftime, according to FOX Sports. “But of course VAR decided otherwise.”

Popovic was seen having a heated exchange with match officials after the match ended.

The United States scored its first goal on an own goal from Australian Cameron Burgess in the 11th minute. It was the second consecutive match in which the United States scored first on an own goal.

But despite complaints about the referee, Popovic gave the Americans credit and admitted his players looked “slow” on Friday.

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)

“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, that noise here – 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 half.

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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.

With his record 2-0the United States sits in first place with six points, while Australia remains with three and in second place.