A chorus of dismissive commentary from United States pundits has done little to unsettle Australia's World Cup squad — if anything, it has lit a fire.

Several Socceroos players spoke to ESPN ahead of the tournament, making clear they were embracing the noise rather than shying away from it. Far from feeling rattled by the pre-competition jibes, the players insisted their growing confidence could prove costly for the co-hosts when the two sides meet on American soil.

The United States, alongside Canada and Mexico, will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, meaning Australia would face a partisan atmosphere if the two nations are drawn together. The Socceroos appear unbothered by that prospect.

Rather than engaging in a war of words, Australia's players signalled their preference to let their performances do the talking — a measured response that suggests a squad settled in its own belief and unwilling to be distracted by outside noise.