World Cup 2026 – Group D details: Hosts USA face Türkiye, Australia and Paraguay

Is this the most open group of the 2026 World Cup? It certainly is in a major way. Hosts America are the top seeds and favorites to advance as winners of Group D, but other competitors are also confident about their chances. Mauricio Pochettino has been given the responsibility of leading the America's team. In 1994, the United States advanced to the Round of 16, where they lost to Brazil. After 32 years, the U.S. are the long shot to win the tournament, but they will be supported by an enthusiastic home crowd on the West Coast.As for the rest of the teams, this group is extremely open. There are only 18 ranking places between Turkey (22), Australia (27) and Paraguay (40), with the South Americans' impressive qualifying record (second best defence) indicating they will be no easy opponents. Australia have always performed well on the world stage, reaching the knockout stages in Qatar last time out, while Turkey are hot on the heels of progressing through the European play-offs in March.

Group D matches (all times BST)

• June 13, 2 pm: USA vs Paraguay – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
• June 14, 5 pm: Australia vs Türkiye – BC Place, Vancouver
• June 19, 8 pm: US vs Australia – Lumen Field, Seattle
• June 20, 4 pm: Türkiye vs Paraguay – Levi Stadium, Santa Clara
• June 26, 3 pm: Türkiye vs USA – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
• June 26, 3 pm: Paraguay vs Australia – Levi's Stadium, Santa ClaraExpectations are naturally high for the hosts America and their coach Pochettino, who have prepared for the tournament for the past two years. The United States did not find success in last year's Gold Cup after losing in the final against Mexico. Interestingly, the team's captain, former Fulham defender Tim Remm (now plays for Charlotte FC), faced all three Group D opponents in the previous year, beating Australia and Paraguay, but losing to Turkey.

Progressing to the knockout stage is the minimum requirement, but the US is eyeing deeper progress. If that is to happen, they will need their star players – such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun – to make a difference at key moments. As they say in America, it's show time.

Team

Goalkeepers: Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), Matt Freese (New York City), Matt Turner (New England Revolution)Defenders: Max Arfstein (Columbus Crew), Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven), Alex Freiman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Tim Remm (Charlotte FC), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antoine Robinson (Fulham), Miles Robinson (Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Auston Trusty (Celtic).
Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Sebastian Berthalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Christian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Brendan Aaronson (Leeds), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Tim Weah (Marcel), Alejandro Zendejas (Club America)
Forward: Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven), Hadji Wright (Coventry City)
Coach: Mauricio PochettinoStar Player: Christian Pulisic, AC Milan: Long known as the United States' true world-class player, the winger has endured many ups and downs in his club career. After mixed performances at Chelsea, Pulisic's hip problems have hindered his progress at AC Milan. However, his pace and cleverness in the final third is still Pochettino's biggest asset.
Breakout Talent: Folarin Balogun, Monaco: The former Arsenal frontman, who was born in New York but grew up in London, has scored 19 goals for Monaco this season. The 24-year-old's record for his country is also respectable, with nine goals in 26 caps.
FIFA Ranking: 16.
Odds of winning the World Cup: 50/1.

###ParaguaySouth Africa are qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 2010 – when they defeated winners Spain in the quarter-finals – Paraguay are coming into this tournament with confidence, having finished with the joint-second best defense in South American qualifying and having beaten Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay in the capital of Asuncion.
However, his playing style is clear: absorb pressure, allow opponents to dominate the ball and then quickly counter-attack. Sunderland's Omar Alderete is a leader in defence, while ex-Newcastle winger Miguel Almiron and Brighton's Diego Gomez are their star players in attack.
However, they lost 2-1 in a friendly against the United States last November, but have defeated Mexico and Greece in the past year.

TeamGoalkeepers: Roberto Fernandez (Cerro Porteño), Orlando Gil (San Lorenzo), Gaston Olvira (Olimpia)

Defenders: Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras), Junior Alonso (Atlético Minero), Fabian Balbuena (Grêmeo), Omar Alderete (Sunderland), Juan Cáceres (Dynamo Moscow), Jose Canales (Lanus), Alexandro Maidana (Tollaris), Gustavo Velazquez (Cerro Porteño).
Midfielders: Andres Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps), Diego Gomez (Brighton & Hove Albion), Damien Bobadilla (Sao Paulo), Brian Ojeda (Orledo City), Matias Galarza (Atlanta United), Mauricio Magalhaes (Palmeiras).
Forward: Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United), Ramon Sosa (Palmeiras), Antonio Sanabria (Cremonese), Julio Enciso (Strasbourg), Gabriel Avalos (Independiente), Alex Arce (Independiente Rivadavia), Isidro Pita (Red Bull Bragantino), Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth).
Coach: Gustavo AlfaroStar Player: Miguel Almiron, Atlanta United: This is the World Cup debut for the popular ex-Newcastle player, who now plays for Atlanta United. Not only does he have 75 caps to his name – second most in the team – but perhaps worryingly, he has the most international goals for the team. However, it is still not in double figures, having scored nine goals.
Breakout talent: Julio Enciso, Strasbourg: The speedy, blonde attacker, formerly of Brighton (with a six-month loan spell at Ipswich last year), is now at Strasbourg and has scored 12 goals in all competitions. Able to create a spark at any moment, he can be the difference maker in the final third.
FIFA Ranking: 40.
Odds of winning the World Cup: 150/1.

AustraliaCompared to previous eras, which included players like Harry Cull, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer – all of whom were proven Premier League players – this 2026 team suffers from a lack of star names and expectations for North America 2026 are minimal.

Coach Tony Popavič prefers a back five system, with a focus on set-pieces at the attacking end, such as Leicester's Harry Souter and Feyenoord's Jordan Boss. On the other hand, ex-Brighton goalkeeper Matt Ryan is experienced in goalkeeping.
They suffered a narrow defeat in the round of 16 against champions Argentina in Qatar, thanks to the wizardry of Lionel Messi. Reaching the knockout round this time would be a commendable achievement.

Team

Goalkeepers: Matt Ryan (Levante), Paul Izzo (Randers), Patrick Beech (Melbourne City)Defenders: Aziz Behich (Melbourne City), Jordan Bos (Feyenoord), Cameron Burgess (Swansea), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Milos Degenek (APOEL), Jason Gería (Albirex Niigata), Lucas Harrington (Colorado Rapids), Jacob Italiano (Grazers), Harry Souter (Leicester), Kai Trewin (New York City).
Midfielders: Cammy Devlin (Hearts), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Jackson Irvine (St Poly), Connor Metcalf (St Poly), Paul Okon-Englester (Sydney), Aidan O'Neill (New York City).
Forward: Nestori Irankunda (Watford), Matthew Lecky (Melbourne City), Aware Mabil (Castellon), Mohamed Toure (Norwich), Nishan Velupili (Melbourne City), Christian Volpato (Sassuolo), Tate Ynggi (Machida Zelvia).
Coach: Tony PopavikStar Players: Jackson Irwin, St. Pauli: The 33-year-old captains his country and his club, German club St. Pauli. Best known for his time in the UK with Hull City and in Scottish football (Celtic, Kilmarnock, Ross County and Hibernian), the midfielder is facing an injury-riddled season but will be making his third World Cup appearance this summer.
Breakout Talent: Tate Yengi, Machida Zelvia: Five years ago, at the age of 20, Yengi was not a professional footballer. However, he made a move to the UK with Ipswich Town and impressed at Livingston in Scotland, then moved to Japan to play for Machida Zelvia, where he scored six goals in 22 matches. He has not yet been capped for his country.
FIFA Ranking: 27.
Odds of winning the World Cup: 500/1.

TürkiyeThe first World Cup in 24 years for Turkey, who last shocked the world by reaching the semi-finals in 2002, losing narrowly to Brazil.

Two 1-0 wins against Romania and Kosovo in the March play-offs ensured their place in this year's showpiece and they will be excited to be in this winnable group.
They will have the group's star player, Real Madrid's Arda Gular, leading their attack, while defensively, there will be some familiar faces to Premier League fans like Man Utd's backup goalkeeper Altay Bayandir and Brighton's Ferdi Kadioglu.

Team

Goalkeepers: Altay Bayandir (Manchester United), Mert Gunok (Fenerbache), Ugurkan Chakir (Galatasaray)Defenders: Abdulkerim Bardakchi (Galatasaray), Chaglar Soyuncu (Fenerbache), Eren Elmali (Galatasaray), Ferdi Kadioglu (Brighton), Merih Demiral (Al-Ahly Saudi), Mert Muldur (Fenerbache), Ozan Kabak (Hoffenheim), Samet Akçedin (Chykur Rizespor), Zaki Celik (Roma)
Midfielders: Hakan Celhanoglu (Inter Milan), Ismail Yucek (Fenerbache), Đan Ayhan (Galatasaray), Orkun Kocu (Besiktas), Salih Ozkan (Borussia Dortmund)
Forward: Arda Güler (Real Madrid), Baris Alper Yilmaz (Galatasaray), Kayan Uzun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Deniz Gül (Porto), Irfan Jan Kahvesi (Kasımpaşa), Kenan Yıldız (Juventus), Kerem Akturkoglu (Fenerbache), Oguz Aydın (Fenerbache), Yunus Akgun. (Galatasaray)
Coach: Vincenzo MontellaStar Player: Arda Gular, Real Madrid: After a breakthrough campaign with Real Madrid, the left-footed playmaker won the Champions League Young Player of the Year award and played regularly for Los Blancos, making 51 appearances in all competitions. Still only 21, his long range and proficiency with free-kicks could be a lethal weapon for his country this summer.
Breakout Talent: Kenan Yildiz, Juventus: Versatile with the ability to play in several different forward positions, the Juventus player has scored 10 Serie A goals this season and could link up well with the Sycamores. It is also strong over long distances.
FIFA Ranking: 22.
Odds of winning the World Cup: 80/1.

Group D PredictionIt's hard to call. Intuition says the US and Türkiye will be the top two, and I would pick the European side to top the group, given their enthusiasm and quality of attack. In third place would be Paraguay, given their strong defensive record, although it certainly seems a mistake to overlook the Socceroos.