MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford — key USA venue for Group D at FIFA World Cup 2026 — MetLife Stadium · Jeffrey Zeldman · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

GROUP PREVIEW

GROUP D — FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 · GROUP STAGE · GROUP D

The Teams

🇺🇸 USA

CONCACAF host nation · Opens at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles · Key player: Christian Pulisic

🇵🇾 Paraguay

CONMEBOL · Qualification via tough South American playoff · Key player: Miguel Almirón

🇦🇺 Australia

AFC · 2022 QF · First WC since Qatar · Key player: Mathew Leckie

🇹🇷 Türkiye

UEFA · 3rd place in 2002 · Key player: Hakan Çalhanoglu

The Fixtures

June 12

USA vs Paraguay

📍 SoFi Stadium, Inglewood (Los Angeles)

June 12

Australia vs Türkiye

📍 BC Place, Vancouver

June 19

Türkiye vs Paraguay

📍 Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara

June 19

USA vs Australia

📍 Lumen Field, Seattle

June 25

Türkiye vs USA

📍 SoFi Stadium, Inglewood (Los Angeles)

June 25

Paraguay vs Australia

📍 Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara

Group Analysis

USA carry the weight of a nation’s football awakening. This World Cup — played on American soil — is the biggest sporting event in US history. The USMNT open at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12, one of the most spectacular venues in global sports. Christian Pulisic is the face of American football’s rise: a Champions League-winning, Serie A-starring forward who has proven himself at AC Milan. Gio Reyna and Tyler Adams give USA midfield quality and drive.

Australia are the group’s most dangerous dark horse. The Socceroos reached the quarter-finals in 2022 — their deepest-ever run — defeating Denmark en route. Mathew Leckie’s explosive pace on the counter-attack caused chaos in Qatar. Harry Souttar leads a physically formidable defence.

Türkiye are one of Europe’s most underrated sides. Hakan Çalhanoglu — Inter Milan’s deep-lying playmaker — is arguably the best in the world in his position. Arda Güler — Real Madrid’s teenage sensation — could be the tournament’s breakout star. Türkiye are the biggest wildcard in Group D.

Paraguay qualified through the famously brutal CONMEBOL campaign. Miguel Almirón’s relentless energy gives them a platform, and Julio Enciso provides the creativity. A dangerous and motivated side.

🎯 PREDICTION: WHO ADVANCES?

1st: USA — home advantage and improving quality. 2nd: Australia — physical, organized, and dangerous on the break. Türkiye’s Arda Güler factor makes them the biggest wildcard.

SOURCES

⚽ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What should you know about: The Teams?

USA carry the weight of a nation’s football awakening. This World Cup — played on American soil — is the biggest sporting event in US history. The USMNT open at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12, one of the most...