FIFA World Cup 2026
USA's home group on the West Coast
Group D is co-host USA's group, with all three fixtures on the US West Coast — Los Angeles, Seattle and back to LA for the decider. Paraguay are the South American outsider, Australia bring trademark physicality from Group D, and Türkiye arrive as the dark European horse with one of the most talented young midfielders in the world.
USA are favourites at home. Türkiye and Paraguay both have realistic top-two cases; Australia would shock the market with anything more than a best-third spot.
USA's high press meets Paraguay's defensive mid-block in match one — likely the most tactical fixture of the group. Türkiye lean on midfield possession and Arda Güler's creativity; Australia bring set pieces and direct play.
USA win-the-group prices sit around 1.65. Türkiye and Paraguay are roughly even-money to take second.
Storyline. Co-hosts on home soil with the most decorated youth pipeline in US history — Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah and the new generation around them.
Key player. Christian Pulisic — Captain America at the peak of his powers, fresh off a 20-goal Serie A season at Milan.
Prediction. Round of 16 is the absolute floor at home; a quarter-final would equal the best-ever US men's run.
Storyline. Quarter-finalists at Euro 2024 and the most exciting young midfielder generation in Europe behind Spain. First men's World Cup since 2002.
Key player. Arda Güler — the Real Madrid playmaker has taken Mesut Özil's old creator role and made it his own.
Prediction. Second place is the realistic target; Round of 16 the median; a quarter-final is not crazy.
Storyline. First World Cup since 2010, qualified out of CONMEBOL after a turbulent decade. Strong defensive structure under Gustavo Alfaro, the same coach who took Ecuador to Qatar 2022.
Key player. Julio Enciso — the Brighton attacker is the most direct goal-scoring threat in the squad.
Prediction. Third place is the most realistic outcome; a best-third path is in play.
Storyline. Socceroos return for a sixth consecutive World Cup. Squad anchored by Premier League and Bundesliga full-backs and a young attacking core based mostly in Scotland and the Eredivisie.
Key player. Mathew Ryan — captain and last line, the defensive metronome around whom Graham Arnold's structure is built.
Prediction. Bottom of the group is the median; a best-third path needs a result against Paraguay on matchday three.
Live World Cup 2026 Group D table — wins, draws, losses, goals for and against, goal difference and points. Updated by the Cup26 editorial team after every match. FIFA scoring: 3 pts for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss.
