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How Seattle is preparing for USMNT vs. Australia World Cup match on Juneteenth

By
FOX 13 Seattle
FIFA World Cup
Updated June 17, 2026 3:14 PM MST Published June 17, 2026 9:55 AM MST

The Brief

    • Ahead of the United States Men's National Team's FIFA World Cup match against Australia on Friday, Seattle organizers and civic leaders are holding a press conference Wednesday morning to outline match details.
    • The briefing will focus on how the high-profile sporting event will commemorate Juneteenth, honoring Black history and local Black communities on the federal holiday.
    • Tens of thousands of fans are expected to flood Seattle Stadium for the game, which will also be broadcast to hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

SEATTLE - Seattle is gearing up for its second FIFA World Cup match as the United States Men's National Team takes on Australia on Friday. Local organizers and leaders will share details Wednesday morning for the upcoming match, which also falls on Juneteenth.

What to expect:

Tens of thousands of people will be in the city and hundreds of millions of viewers around the world will watch Friday's match at Seattle Stadium.

Ahead of the game, the Seattle FIFA World Cup Local Organizing Committee will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Wednesday to announce how the match on Juneteenth will be commemorated on and around match day.

Civic leaders, local government officials, a former USMNT player and cultural organizations will join the committee to honor Black history and Seattle's Black community, recognizing the day's significance.

FOX 13 will cover the event, which will stream live in the player above.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

While Juneteenth has been celebrated across the country for decades, it is a relatively new federal holiday. President Joe Biden officially designated June 19 as a federal holiday in 2021.

Years of preparation for rising crowds

Plans for the major sporting event have been in development for years, according to Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson. Local authorities are actively preparing for significantly larger crowds across the city's downtown corridors and event spaces.

"The upcoming matches, we're expecting to be, also, at capacity," Wilson said. "So, we're feeling good about the excitement this is generating."

Seattle stands out as one of only two host cities selected to hold a tournament match on the June 19 holiday.

"We were blessed to get it on the schedule and we feel very honored for FIFA doing that," said Peter Tomozawa, CEO of the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26 Organizing Committee.

Reflecting on history and the future of sports

Beyond the action on the pitch, local officials emphasize that the intersection of the international match and Juneteenth serves as a critical moment for historical reflection and social acknowledgment.

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay noted that the holiday represents a time for celebrating, reflecting on the end of slavery, and acknowledging the ongoing push for equity.

"Juneteenth is a reminder that the fight for freedom for our local African American communities and around the nation did not end in 1865," Zahilay said.

The organizing committee is encouraging traveling fans and local residents to explore art, music, and history exhibitions deployed throughout the city. Figures within the soccer community also see the event as an opportunity to look toward the future of the sport.

"I was the exception and not the rule," said former U.S. Men's National Team player Tony Sanneh, speaking on diversity in the sport. "So, how do we have future young Black players being the rule, not the exception?"

Seattle City Attorney Erika Evans added that the prominent scheduling emphasizes the broader responsibility shared by modern athletes.

"Athletes have the power and responsibility to use your platforms to make a difference," Evans said. "To challenge racism in sports and in our country."

Citywide Celebrations at the Waterfront

With thousands of additional visitors expected to arrive by Friday, city celebratory sites are preparing to activate.

Alongside the match at Seattle Stadium, fans can participate in dedicated Juneteenth festivities at Pier 58. The waterfront programming is designed to recognize and elevate local Black artists, creators, and voices through the lens of soccer culture.

Mayor Wilson confirmed she will be among the thousands attending the upcoming match, reiterating that the city is fully prepared for the global spotlight.

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The Source: Information in this story came from the Seattle FIFA World Cup™ Local Organizing Committee.

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