World Cup 2026 Group D
GROUP D
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
| USA | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 6 |
| Australia | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Paraguay | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Turkey | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
Mike Tuckerman
[Team Jersey Images © Soccerphile]
USA
It's hard to imagine a host nation going into a home World Cup with less confidence than the United States.
Mauricio Pochettino has made a point of testing his side against tough European opponents, but the problem for the Argentine is that Team USA has come out of those friendlies looking decidedly second best.
The US has now recorded eight straight defeats to European opponents in friendlies, the latest of which were a 5-2 loss to Belgium in Atlanta in which Pochettino's team capitulated in the second half, before Portugal cruised to a 2-0 win in the same city just days later.
Star man Christian Pulisic has cut a frustrated figure in a national team jersey, while questions continue to be asked of Pochettino - who claimed in the build-up to the tournament that Americans lacked “an emotional connection” to football.
Despite the fraught build-up, what should work in the USA's favour is the home-ground advantage. They play two of their group games at the futuristic SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood, while none of their three group-stage opponents have particularly large diaspora fan bases to call upon - even if Turkey will invariably provide plenty of colour.
Reaching the knock-out phase will be the bare minimum for a side that hasn't always coped well with pressure, with Pulisic, Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, and Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Giovanni Reyna all more than capable of influencing games.
But can the USA handle the weight of publication expectation in their home World Cup? They've got a young, hungry group of players desperate to make their mark in a nation that enjoys plenty of other sports. That will go a long way to deciding the fate of a tricky-looking group.
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USA Kit 1 |
USA Kit 2 |
United States vs Paraguay - June 12; Inglewood
United States vs Australia - June 19; Seattle
Turkey vs United States - June 25; Inglewood
Coach
Coach: Mauricio Pochettino
Record
Best World Cup: Third place in 1930
Formation
4-2-3-1
One to watch: Folarin Balogun
He took a circuitous route into the national team - having represented England at youth level before proclaiming his interest in playing for Nigeria - but the in-form Monaco striker is a quality number nine.
Co-hosts USA are between 66/1 and 80/1 to win on home soil.
How they qualified
Tournament co-host, with the USA set to host 78 matches of the 104 games in total.
On the sidelines
Atletico Madrid's Champions League exit to Arsenal was costly in more ways than one, with USA midfielder Johnny Cardoso picking up an ankle injury in the second leg. He's now expected to miss the tournament in his home nation. Tyler Adams and Sergino Dest have both spent time on the sidelines in the build-up to the finals, however both are expected to be named in coach Mauricio Pochettino's final squad. The USA's biggest ever win in an international match was 8-0 v Barbados in 2008.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
Defenders: Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic)
Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Tim Weah (Marseille), Alejandro Zendejas (Club America)
Strikers: Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Haji Wright (Coventry City)
Paraguay
Back at the World Cup finals for the first time since 2010, Paraguay based their qualification on defensive solidity. They finished sixth in the rough-and-tumble world of CONMEBOL qualifying, losing only four games but drawing seven in South America's marathon 18-game qualification process.
They needed a gritty 1-0 win over Peru in Lima to put the seal on their first finals appearance in 16 years, with on-loan Atlanta United midfielder Matias Galarza volleying home a late winner to confirm Paraguay's spot in North America.
Key to Paraguay's qualification was an intimidating home record, with La Albirroja losing just once - an early 1-0 defeat to Colombia - at their imposing Estadio Defensores del Chaco.
The question for the experienced Alfaro will be how to replicate that form outside of Asuncion - not least because the Paraguayans are not exactly renowned for their attacking football.
Much will depend on the form of Cremonese striker Antonio Sanabria. The 30-year-old may only have seven international goals to his name, but he's been in the squad for almost 13 years and should provide plenty of experience alongside Julio Enciso's more youthful exuberance.
If the Paraguayans can keep things tight at the back, as they did in qualifying, they'll fancy their chances of causing an upset or two in North America.
But they have a tough ask facing tournament co-hosts the United States first up, meaning plenty will hinge on their second clash with Turkey in Santa Clara.
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Paraguay Kit 1 |
Paraguay Kit 2 |
United States vs Paraguay - June 12; Inglewood
Turkey vs Paraguay - June 19; Santa Clara
Paraguay vs Australia - June 25; Santa Clara
Coach
Gustavo Alfaro
Record
Best World Cup: Quarter-finals in 2010
Formation
4-4-2
One to watch: Miguel Almiron
Now 32, the former Newcastle United winger still has plenty to prove in North America. Having returned for a second spell at MLS club Atlanta United - which hasn't quite gone to plan - the talismanic Almiron is not only Paraguay's main creative outlet, he's also their most experienced.
Paraguay are 300/1 to win in 2026.
How they qualified
With six automatic qualification spots up for grabs, the Paraguayans eased into the finals by finishing sixth in CONMEBOL qualifying. They never really looked like being caught by chasing Bolivia, finishing the campaign with a scoreless draw at home to Ecuador before that narrow 1-0 win over Peru in Lima.
On the sidelines
Diego Gomez is Paraguay's biggest injury concern. The Brighton and Hove midfielder picked up a knee injury against Tottenham in late April, but is nevertheless expected to be named in Gustavo Alfaro's final squad. Miguel Almiron is Paraguay's other worry. The talismanic attacker has been hindered by a knee concern, but the Paraguayans will no doubt pull out all the stops to ensure their key creative talent is fit and raring to go for their group-stage opener against the USA. Former centre back Paulo da Silva has the most caps for his country with 148.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Roberto Junior Fernandez (Cerro Porteno), Orlando Gill (San Lorenzo), Gaston Olveira (Olimpia)
Defenders: Omar Alderete (Sunderland), Junior Alonso (Atletico Mineiro), Fabian Balbuena (Gremio), Juan Jose Caceres (Dinamo Moscow), Jose Canale (Lanus), Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras), Alexandro Maidana (Talleres), Gustavo Velazquez (Cerro Porteno)
Midfielders: Damian Bobadilla (Sao Paulo), Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth), Andres Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Matias Galarza (Atlanta United), Diego Gomez (Brighton), Mauricio Magalhaes (Palmeiras), Briaian Ojeda (Orlando City), Alejandro Romero (Al Ain)
Strikers: Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United), Gabriel Avalos (Independiente), Alex Arce (Independiente Rivadavia), Julio Enciso (Strasbourg), Isidro Pitta (Bragantino), Antonio Sanabria (Cremonese), Ramon Sosa (Palmeiras)
Australia
Australia's qualification campaign was a tale of two coaches, with Graham Arnold stepping down just two games into the third round of Asian qualifying.
Replacement Tony Popovic immediately set about installing a new defensive rigidity into the Socceroos, but they still left qualification late - needing a last-minute winner from veteran defender Aziz Behich to see off Japan at Optus Stadium in Perth to essentially book their place in North America.
Perhaps it's no surprise that Popovic has moulded a team very much in how own image, with the former central defender - who won 58 caps for the Socceroos as a player - making his team particularly tough to break down.
Veteran goalkeeper and captain Mat Ryan remains as influential as ever between the posts, while Jackson Irvine and Aiden O'Neill do the dirty work in the middle of the park.
Australia's one glaring weakness is up front, with a lack of goals from open play remaining a persistent problem for years. The Aussies have turned to their African diaspora to resolve that issue, with Norwich City striker Mohamed Toure likely to start at the point of attack.
The Socceroos have pencilled in their clash with the USA in Seattle as a must-win game. Dismissed as easybeats by a number of American media pundits, the Aussies will fire up for what is undoubtedly one of the biggest clashes in Australia's long and complicated footballing history.
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Australia Kit 1 |
Australia Kit 2 |
Australia vs Turkey - June 13; Vancouver
United States vs Australia - June 19; Seattle
Paraguay vs Australia - June 25; Santa Clara
Coach
Tony Popovic
Record
Best World Cup: Round of 16 in 2006 and 2022
Formation
5-4-1
One to watch: Nestory Irankunda
Good enough for Bayern München to sign him as a teenager, the former Adelaide United winger is as an explosive attacking force. Capable of scoring from anywhere on the pitch, he's the most exciting Australian talent since Harry Kewell.
Australia are 500/1 outsiders to win the World Cup.
How they qualified
With the top two teams qualifying from their group, the Aussies never looked like overhauling group winners Japan. Instead, the Socceroos had to fight tooth and nail to see off Saudi Arabia, beating the Green Falcons 2-1 in Jeddah in their final qualifier to definitively book their spot on the plane to North America.
On the sidelines
The Socceroos go into the World Cup finals with injury headaches to contend with across the park. Lewis Miller has already been ruled out with a ruptured Achilles, while he could be joined on the sidelines by Nashville SC midfielder Patrick Yazbek. Coach Tony Popovic will be sweating on the fitness of New York City midfielder Aiden O'Neill, with the Queenslander fast becoming an indispensable member of the starting side. The good news is the return to action of giant Leicester defender Harry Souttar after an ACL injury. If the Aberdeen-born centre-back is anywhere close to full fitness, he is likely to start at the heart of Australia's defence. Australia were also in Group D at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and finished second behind France. The national team's nickname is The Socceroos.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Mat Ryan (Levante), Paul Izzo (Randers), Patrick Beach (Melbourne City)
Defenders: Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Jordan Bos (Feynoord), Cameron Burgess (Swansea City), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Milos Degenek (APOEL), Jason Geria (Albirex Niigata), Lucas Herrington (Colorado Rapids), Jacob Italiano (Grazer), Harry Souttar (Leicester City), Kai Trewin (New York City)
Midfielders: Cameron Devlin (Heart of Midlothian), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Jackson Irvine (St Pauli), Connor Metcalfe (St Pauli), Paul Okon-Englster (Sydney), Aiden O'Neill (New York City)
Strikers: Nestory Irankunda (Watford), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Awer Mabil (Castellon), Mohamed Toure (Norwich City), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory), Cristian Volpato (Sassuolo), Tete Yengi (Machida Zelvia)
Turkey
Evolution not revolution appears to be the mantra under popular Italian coach Vincenzo Montella. Parachuted in after the sacking of German coach Stefan Kuntz, the former Adana Demispor tactician has turned Turkey into a much more resilient outfit than his predecessor.
They came through the playoffs to seal their qualification, seeing off Romania 1-0 in a nervy one-legged tie in Istanbul, before travelling to Pristina to down Kosovo by the same scoreline.
Those playoff wins came after Turkey finished second in their qualification group to Spain, with a 6-0 home defeat to the Spanish one of the few occasions in which Montella's team looked genuinely outclassed.
They'll fancy their chances of causing some headaches in North America, in a group in which all four teams will be eyeing a top-two finish.
Key to Turkey's chances are a couple of precocious youngsters in attack, with German-born Juventus playmaker Kenan Yildiz and Real Madrid winger Arda Güler both genuine world-class talents.
Combined with the experience of captain Hakan Calhanoglu and the goals of Kerem Aktürkoglu and Turkey boast a number of players who can break open a game.
The big question is how the Turks will handle the emotion of their first World Cup finals appearance since 2002. They'll hope for plenty of support from the local Turkish diaspora when they run out for their tournament opener against Australia in Vancouver.
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Turkey Kit 1 |
Turkey Kit 2 |
Australia vs Turkey - June 13; Vancouver
Turkey vs Paraguay - June 19; Santa Clara
Turkey vs United States - June 25; Inglewood
Coach
Vincenzo Montella
Record
Best World Cup: Third in 2002.
Formation
4-2-3-1
One to watch: Kenan Yildiz
It's not every day a player of Yildiz's sublime talents come along. Blessed with superb vision and an expansive passing range, the 20-year-old has developed into a regular match-winner for Juventus. He'll be keen to showcase the full spectrum of his skills on the world stage.
Turkey are 100/1 outsiders to win the tournament.
How they qualified
After starting their qualification campaign with an impressive 3-2 win away in Georgia, the 6-0 reverse to Spain in Konya put a dent in Turkey's qualification hopes. They rallied with a 6-1 thrashing of Bulgaria in Sofia of their own, but despite two more wins over Georgia and Bulgaria, they couldn't overhaul the Spanish at the top of Group E. But unlike the previous campaign, when they were knocked out in the playoffs by Portugal, this time Turkey showed plenty of grit to overcome both Romania and Kosovo in a couple of tricky looking ties.
On the sidelines
Unlike so many other national teams, Turkey go into the finals with few injury worries to contend with. The biggest question will be over the workload of both Arda Güler and Kenan Yildiz. The pair are two of the hottest young talents in world football, but both are coming off marathon European club campaigns for Real Madrid and Juventus respectively. Hakan Sukur is the all-time leading scorer for Turkey with a total of 51 goals.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Altay Bayindir (Manchester United), Mert Gunok (Fenerbahce), Ugurcan Cakir (Galatasaray)
Defenders: Abdulkerim Bardakci (Galatasaray), Caglar Soyuncu (Fenerbahce), Eren Elmali (Galatasaray), Ferdi Kadioglu (Brighton), Merih Demiral (Al-Ahli Saudi), Mert Muldur (Fenerbahce), Ozan Kabak (Hoffenheim), Samet Akaydin (Caykur Rizespor), Zeki Celik (AS Roma)
Midfielders: Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan), Ismail Yuksek (Fenerbahce), Kaan Ayhan (Galatasaray), Orkun Kokcu (Besiktas), Salih Ozcan (Borussia Dortmund)
Strikers: Arda Guler (Real Madrid), Baris Alper Yilmaz (Galatasaray), Can Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Deniz Gul (Porto), Irfan Can Kahveci (Kasimpasa), Kenan Yildiz (Juventus), Kerem Akturkoglu (Fenerbahce), Oguz Aydin (Fenerbahce), Yunus Akgun (Galatasaray)