We’re yet to see a ball kicked at the time of writing, but this World Cup 2026 has already proved to be one of the most controversial in recent memory, with visa issues plaguing players and officials trying to enter the United States of America.
H1: World Cup 2026 Group D: Back the Aussies
One would expect the Americans to be pretty marmite amongst fans as a consequence, though they look to have been given one of the kinder draws amongst the top seeds. The USA can boast one of the best managers in the world in Mauricio Pochettino, though expectations are extremely high on home soil and this group may be tougher than it appears at first glance.
H2: World Cup 2026 Group D: World Rankings
-USA – Ranked 17th
-Türkiye – Ranked 22nd
-Australia – Ranked 27th
-Paraguay – Ranked 41st
H2: World Cup 2026 Group D Fixtures (UK Time)
-USA v Paraguay, Saturday 13th June (2am), Los Angeles
-Australia v Türkiye, Sunday 14th June (5am), Vancouver
-USA v Australia, Friday 19th June (8pm), Seattle
-Türkiye v Paraguay, Saturday 20th June (4am), San Francisco
-Paraguay v Australia, Friday 26th June (3am), San Francisco
-Türkiye v USA, Friday 26th June (3am), Los Angeles
H2: World Cup 2026 Group D: Team-by-Team Preview
All four sides in Group D are very closely matched on world rankings, so it’s little surprise to see the market struggle to separate such a competitive line-up. Read on to find out our in-depth views on each team.
H3: United States (2.30)
Entering here as hosts and top seeds, it’s no secret that big things are expected of Mauricio Pochettino’s side. This World Cup coincides with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and there is very much a national desire for the USMNT to still be in the tournament on the 4th July at the absolute minimum, which falls at the Round of 16 stage.
As is normal for a host nation, the USA have been without top-level competitive football for quite some time now and recent friendly results have been mixed, with home defeats to European heavyweights Belgium, Portugal and Germany adding a dose of reality to Pochettino’s claims that his side are aiming to lift the trophy.
Quite curiously, the States played all three of their group opponents in friendlies last year, defeating both Australia and Paraguay 2-1 and losing by the same score to Türkiye. Those results will provide plenty of optimism, though there’s a feeling that this side will find life tougher with the added pressure of being hosts.
AC Milan striker Christian Pulisic is very much the standout man in a youthful side, and while there are a good number of players in this squad that ply their trade in top divisions across Europe, goals may prove to be at a premium against three sides who will be set up to frustrate. Only Weston McKennie and Ricardo Pepi can boast a double-figure goal tally alongside Pulisic and this group could be a lot closer than the prices suggest.
H3: Türkiye (2.65)
This will be just the third time that Türkiye have appeared at a World Cup finals and they will do so for the first time since reaching the semi-finals in Japan and South Korea 24 years ago.
Aside from a 6-0 home drubbing at the hands of tournament favourites Spain, Türkiye enjoyed a productive qualifying campaign, picking up a highly respectable draw in Seville on their way to sealing a play-off berth. Their play-off bracket was slightly easier than most, however, with narrow victories against two relative light-hitters in Romania and Kosovo rubber-stamping their place.
Türkiye boast two genuine world-class prospects in Juventus and Real Madrid attackers Kenan Yildiz and Arda Güler, though the fact that only 11 of the 26-man squad ply their trade outside of their home nation is unusual for a European country that doesn’t have a top-five league, and they feel vulnerable at the back.
Vincenzo Montella led his side to the quarter-finals of the Euros two years ago, though they had a favourable draw and the lack of a proven goalscorer is a major concern, meaning the 2.65 about them to top the group feels a bit on the short side.
H3: Paraguay (4.55)
South American side Paraguay are relatively regular participants at the World Cup, though this will be their first appearance since reaching the quarter-finals in South Africa 16 years ago. With six teams from 10 now qualifying automatically from the region, the stakes are slightly lower than they were in South America, though Paraguay deserve plenty of credit for finishing sixth.
Indeed, while Argentina were runaway group winners, the remaining five automatic qualifiers were all separated by just one point. This Paraguay side has been built on strong defensive foundations, conceding just 10 goals across their 18 qualifying games. You can expect plenty of the dark arts to be on show from veteran Argentine manager Gustavo Alfaro’s side, though the fact they found the net just 14 times in that campaign is a serious concern.
Indeed, the majority of this side play in North and South America and it will likely be an uphill battle for them should their robust defence be breached, with only former Newcastle midfielder Miguel Almirón hitting double figure goals for his country. If 0-0 correct score plays are your thing, Paraguay are a top candidate.
H3: Australia (7.65)
Priced up as 7.65 shots to win the group with kwiff at the time of writing, it’s fair to say that Australia aren’t particularly well-supported, though they could be sneaking under the radar. This will be a fifth straight finals appearance for the Aussies, who have come on leaps and bounds since switching from Oceania to Asia in 2006.
It wasn’t always plain sailing in this qualifying campaign after a slow start at the Third Round stage, though an impressive victory in Jeddah was enough to seal a finals berth at the expense of Saudi Arabia. It’s no secret that ‘soccer’ sits behind Rugby League, Aussie Rules and Cricket in the sporting pecking order in Australia, though there are some hugely exciting prospects coming through the ranks to compliment an experienced old guard.
Plenty of the side that went out fighting to eventual winners Argentina at the Round of 16 in 2022 remain, while exciting Championship frontmen Mohamed Touré and Nestory Irankunda add a youthful edge. The A-League might not have taken off just yet, but there’s a huge football following down under and alongside it a quiet confidence that this side have a real chance of going deep into a World Cup for the first time.
Tony Popovic’s side conceded just 7 goals in 16 qualifying games and they will be set up to hit teams on the break. A plucky 1-0 warm-up defeat to hosts Mexico gave us a flavour of how they’ll approach proceedings and they shouldn’t be underestimated.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D Selections
Back Australia to Qualify from Group D @ 1.80 with kwiff
Back Australia to Win Group D @ 7.65 with kwiff
By Nick Seddon
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