The 2026 World Cup Group D is arguably the most open group in the tournament. Co-hosts United States are the top seeds and favorites to progress as group winners, but Turkey, Australia, and Paraguay all have realistic ambitions of advancing. Mauricio Pochettino leads the US at their second home World Cup, aiming to replicate or surpass the round of 16 exit in 1994. With just 18 ranking spots separating the other three teams, the group promises intense competition.
Group D Fixtures
- 13 June, 2am BST: USA vs Paraguay – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- 14 June, 5am BST: Australia vs Turkey – BC Place, Vancouver
- 19 June, 8pm BST: USA vs Australia – Lumen Field, Seattle
- 20 June, 4am BST: Turkey vs Paraguay – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
- 26 June, 3am BST: Turkey vs USA – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- 26 June, 3am BST: Paraguay vs Australia – Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
United States
Expectations are high for the co-hosts under Pochettino, who replaced Gregg Berhalter two years ago. Results have been mixed, including a Gold Cup final loss to Mexico. The squad, captained by Tim Ream, has faced all three group opponents in friendlies, beating Australia and Paraguay but losing to Turkey. Star players Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Folarin Balogun must deliver for the US to go deep.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Chris Brady, Matt Freese, Matt Turner. Defenders: Max Arfsten, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, Auston Trusty. Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie, Cristian Roldan, Brenden Aaronson, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas. Forwards: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright. Coach: Mauricio Pochettino.
Star player: Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) – speed and cutting edge in the final third. Breakout talent: Folarin Balogun (Monaco) – 19 goals this season. FIFA ranking: 16. Odds: 50/1.
Paraguay
Paraguay qualified for their first World Cup since 2010, boasting the joint-second best defensive record in South American qualifying. They rely on counter-attacks, with Sunderland’s Omar Alderete leading the defense and Miguel Almiron and Diego Gomez providing attacking flair.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Roberto Fernandez, Orlando Gill, Gaston Olveira. Defenders: Gustavo Gomez, Junior Alonso, Fabian Balbuena, Omar Alderete, Juan Caceres, Jose Canale, Alexandro Maidana, Gustavo Velazquez. Midfielders: Andres Cubas, Diego Gomez, Damian Bobadilla, Braian Ojeda, Matias Galarza, Mauricio Magalhaes. Forwards: Miguel Almiron, Ramon Sosa, Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso, Gabriel Avalos, Alex Arce, Isidro Pitta, Gustavo Caballero. Coach: Gustavo Alfaro.
Star player: Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United) – 75 caps, most international goals in squad (9). Breakout talent: Julio Enciso (Strasbourg) – 12 goals this season. FIFA ranking: 40. Odds: 150/1.
Australia
Australia lacks the star names of past eras but relies on a back five system and set-pieces. Coach Tony Popovic’s side narrowly lost to Argentina in the round of 16 in 2022. Progression to the knockout stage would be a commendable achievement.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan, Paul Izzo, Patrick Beach. Defenders: Aziz Behich, Jordan Bos, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Lucas Herrington, Jacob Italiano, Harry Souttar, Kai Trewin. Midfielders: Cammy Devlin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe, Paul Okon-Englster, Aiden O’Neill. Forwards: Nestory Irankunda, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil, Mohamed Toure, Nishan Velupilly, Cristian Volpato, Tete Yengi. Coach: Tony Popovic.
Star player: Jackson Irvine (St Pauli) – captain, third World Cup. Breakout talent: Tete Yengi (Machida Zelvia) – uncapped, six goals in Japan. FIFA ranking: 27. Odds: 500/1.
Turkey
Turkey returns to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years, having reached the semi-finals in 2002. They secured qualification via play-offs and boast Real Madrid’s Arda Guler as their star player. Defensively, Manchester United’s Altay Bayindir and Brighton’s Ferdi Kadioglu provide Premier League experience.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir, Mert Gunok, Ugurcan Cakir. Defenders: Abdulkerim Bardakci, Caglar Soyuncu, Eren Elmali, Ferdi Kadioglu, Merih Demiral, Mert Muldur, Ozan Kabak, Samet Akaydin, Zeki Celik. Midfielders: Hakan Calhanoglu, Ismail Yuksek, Kaan Ayhan, Orkun Kokcu, Salih Ozcan. Forwards: Arda Guler, Baris Alper Yilmaz, Can Uzun, Deniz Gul, Irfan Can Kahveci, Kenan Yildiz, Kerem Akturkoglu, Oguz Aydin, Yunus Akgun. Coach: Vincenzo Montella.
Star player: Arda Guler (Real Madrid) – Champions League Young Player of the Season. Breakout talent: Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) – 10 Serie A goals. FIFA ranking: 22. Odds: 80/1.
Group D Prediction
A tough group to call. Instinct suggests USA and Turkey will be the top two, with Turkey topping the group due to momentum and attacking quality. Paraguay may finish third, despite their strong defense, but Australia should not be underestimated.
