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Group D is considered 2 of 12 toughest
Group D Teams in a Sentence
USA- Quarterfinals or bust.
Paraguay - Defensive grinders.
Australia - On paper, the best projected 4th place team.
Turkey - For a side that qualified late, could play late into tournament.
Where Group D finishers will play
1D Winner
2D Second Place
3D Third Place (8 of 12 will qualify)
1D gets a 3, 2D gets 2G, if qualified 3D would get 1A, 1I or 1K
Group D Schedule (times are CST)
Match 4 Friday 6/12 LA, 8p - FOX - USA v Paraguay
Match 6 Friday 6/12 Vancouver, 11p - FOX - Australia v Turkey
Match 32 Friday 6/19 Seattle, 2p - FOX - USA v Australia
Match 31 Friday 6/19 SF, 11p - FS1 - Turkey v Paraguay
Match 59 Thursday 6/25 LA, 9p - FOX - Turkey v USA
Match 60 Thursday 6/25 SF, 9p - FS1 - Paraguay v Australia
Group ODDS (+110 = bet $100 to win $110, -250 = bet $250 to win $100)
To Advance out of Group D
USA -847
Turkey -400
Paraguay -202
Australia -124
To Win Group D
USA +137
Turkey +175
Paraguay +380
Australia +700
To Win the World Cup
USA +6600
Turkey +8000
Paraguay +15000
Australia +50000
CS Analysis
The USA enter the 2026 World Cup as co-hosts with genuine ambition to reach the semi-finals or better. The team is powered by a young, dynamic squad full of Europe and MLS talent and what will be a big home pitch advantage.
That comes with a lot of pressure, and the group is not easy.
Most Interesting Player
Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
While others may be more impactful, Pulisic is the player people will be watching. Will he take a step up, lead and deliver or will the team need to lean on others.
Paraguay arrive with their classic defensive steel and set-piece prowess, a team that can grind out results and frustrate even the best sides. Expectations are for a tough group-stage scrap, but they have the grit to advance.
Most Interesting Player
Miguel Almiron (Atlanta MLS)
Experienced playmaker who could spoil the hopes of bigger teams. The former Newcastle United player moved to Atlanta this year. Has played against the best in the world and seems to love the challenge.
Australia head to 2026 with their never-say-die spirit and a true belief they can win this group. Blending European-based stars with home-grown talent some classify the Aussies as perennial overachievers who love upsetting bigger nations.
Probably the best “fourth place team in the group on paper” in the tournament.
Most Interesting Player
Jordan Bos (Feyenoord)
Young Socceroos fans love this rising defensive star who brings a big “new wave” storyline as Australia’s fresh face. Looking to see if Jordan takes the step of new star as many think he will. While the 23 year old plays defense, he brings big overlapping runs and puts himself into the attack.
Turkey beat Kosovo 1-0 in the qualifying playoff to make the World Cup. For having to qualify through the added playoff, this side has very high expectations and are considered slight underdogs to finish behind the USA in the group.
They will bring their trademark passion, physicality and counterattack and are capable of beating anyone in the 48-team field.
Most Interesting Player
Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)
Just 20 years old yet won the Serie A (Italy) Goal of the Season. Excitement, flair and finishing deliver dynamically dazzling performances. Can he handle the hype of his first World Cup.
In Summary
Will the USA have a home pitch advantage playing in the USA? Yes, but maybe not as much as you might think. There is A LOT of pressure on the team and anything but getting AT LEAST into the final 16 will be disappointing. Paraguay’s gritty, defensive South American organization, Australia’s direct, counter-attacking pace, and Turkey’s passionate, technical European flair bring three different styles of play to prepare for. USA v Paraguay will be a clear example of the USA’s high line play versus Paraguay’s low block. USA Manager Pochettino’s gives the US the managerial edge. Christian Pulisic will need to find his early season form, as he has been struggling since the new year. All 6 matches may be tight one goal results, with the winner likely advancing on mental toughness and playing to the last whistle.
A couple fun things to watch for. USA manager Pochettino and Paraguay’s manager Gustavo Alfaro are both Argentinian and know each other. Also, Turkey’s captain Hakan Calhanoglu plays his club soccer at Inter Milan while USA’s captain Christian Pulisic plays for rival AC Milan.
CS Picks
D1 USA
D2 Turkey
D3 Australia
D4 Paraguay
More On Each Country & National Team Below
USA
Visiting?
Spacious skies. Amber waves of grain. Purple mountain majesties. Fruited Plain.
From sea to shining sea.
Big cities, big plains. Sand beaches, rocky beaches. Rocky mountains, Smokey mountains. Cold Winters, Warm Winters.
All the National Parks are great.
“Land of the Free”, ‘Merica
Population: 330M
Area: 3,800,000 Miles2
Region: North America
Capital: Washington, DC
Language: English
Greeting: Hi, Howdy, Good Morning
Cuisine: Dynamic, regional. Hamburgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, APPLE PIE, pancakes, BBQ, chowdah cajun, tex-mex, potato salad, mac n cheese.
Stars & Stripes
Group D
World Ranking 14
WC Apps. 12
Best WC Finish: QF 1930 & 2002
FIFA Governing Body: CONCACAF
Head Coach: Mauricio Pochettino (Argentinian)
Captain: Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
All Time Top Scorer: Clint Dempsey (141 caps, 57 goals) and Landon Donovan (157 caps, 57 goals)
About the Team
Automatically qualified as co-hosts. They reached the quarter-finals in 2002 and have steadily improved since re-emerging in the 1990s. Uncle Sam’s Army has high expectations. The last time the US hosted the tournament in 1994 - Drew with Switzerland 1-1, beat Columbia 2-1 and lost to Romania 0-1. The team advanced to the round of 16 and losing to Brazil, 0-1, who then went on to win the World Cup.
The Fans
Two different supporter groups. American Outlaws est in 2007 and Uncle Sam’s Army est 1994. The “I Believe” chant has been a staple, and tailgating is truly bringing soccer to American culture. What they might lack in numbers often for US matches and tv viewing, they make up for in passion and energy and it is expected to be a large crowd of the Red White and Blue this World Cup.
Players to Watch
Florian Balogun - (Monaco)
Christian Pulisic - (AC Milan)
Tyler Adams - (Bournemouth)
Weston McKennie - (Juventus)
Antonee Robinson “Jedi” (Fulham)
Chris Richards - Back (Crystal Palace)
Matt Freese - Goalkeeper (NYC MLS)
Paraguay
Visiting?
One of the most biodiverse places in the world, Mbaracayu Biosphere.
One of the world’s largest hydroelectrical dams, Itaipu, supplies 90% of the country’s electricity.
Boat the Rio Paraguay River.
Go searching for Tucans in the Parque Nacional San Rafael.
Heart of South America
Population: 7 M
Area: 155,000 Miles2
Region: South America
Capital: Asuncion
Language: Spanish & Guarani
Greeting: Mba’eichapa (how are you)
Cuisine: Fried plantain slices and pork. Tamales with beans, cheese and meat. Soybean stews. Significant agriculture provides a lot of home cooked variety that is savory, hearty and earthy.
Los Guaranies
“The Guaranies” - also the official currency of Paraguay the Guarani people are indigenous to the region.
Group D
World Ranking 40
WC Apps. 9
Best WC Finish: QF in 200
FIFA Governing Body: CONMEBOL
Head Coach: Gustavo Alfaro (Argentinian)
Captain: Gustavo Gomez (Palmeiras)
All Time Top Scorer: Roque Santa Cruz (112 caps, 32 goals) in the early 2000’s & 2010’s.
About the Team
Paraguay has been termed “the forgotten country”, sandwiched between Brazil and Argentina. Like their better-known neighbor’s soccer is a major part of the culture. Los Guaranies qualified directly through the CONMEBOL standings as the 6th best team in South America. Known for producing top defenders and goalkeepers, they remain a South American staple.
The Fans
La Albirroja (The White and Reds) are famous for loud, rhythmic drumming and unwavering loyalty. They travel in BIG numbers and create a wall of red wherever they play.
Players to Watch
Miguel Almirón (Atlanta MLS)
Julio Enciso (Brighton)
Fabián Balbuena (Dynamo Moscow)
Andrés Cubas (Vancouver MLS)
Alex Arce (LDU Quito)
Carlos Coronel (Red Bull Salzburg) – GK.
Australia
Visiting?
Beaches, water, and underwater activities. Maybe at the Great Barrier Reef or along the Gold Coast in Queensland.
Sydney Harbor.
Rent a sprinter van and spend a couple months driving the coast.
Just remember, it’s a big country and can be quite a distance to travel to change up your plans. Just let others know you are “busting a leg to the coast” and don’t plan too much.
“Land Down Under”
Population: 25 M
Area: 3,000,000 Miles2
Region: Oceana
Capital: Canberra
Language: English
Greeting: G’day mate!
Cuisine: Global influence, native ingredients, and beer. Meat pie, fish and chips, sausage sizzle, prawns and an abundance of seafood, and Vegemite.
Socceroos
Group D
World Ranking 25
WC Apps. 27
Best WC Finish: Round of 16 in 2006 & 2022
FIFA Governing Body: AFC
Head Coach: Tony Popovic (Australian)
Captain: Matthew Ryan (Levante in Spain)
All Time Top Scorer: Tim Cahill (108 caps, 50 goals) in the 2020’s & 2010’s.
About the Team
This is the Socceroo’s 6th consecutive appearance since debuting in 1974. Prior to 2006 that was the Aussie’s only WC appearance. In 2006 the team moved from the Oceana Federation, which got only 1 team thru to a playoff to have a chance at the WC, to the Asian Federation, which has more qualification spots. The move seemed to have worked, qualifying every year since. This Australia side is young and inexperienced and will rely on a defensive first approach and then coutner attack when available.
The Fans
When you hear “Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!” chanted anywhere, you will hear the thunderous reply “Oi! Oi! Oi!”. The Socceroos Army, and the more formal group “Socceroos Active Support”, will bring loud, colorful beach-flag displays and party atmosphere.
If you find yourself heading anywhere and notice a bunch of green and gold Aussie sport fans in a bar, pub or street corner - might as well join them knowing it will be a great time.
Players to Watch
Jordan Bos (Feyenoord)
Mathew Ryan (FA) – GK.
Aziz Behich (Melbourne City)
Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli)
Cameron Burgess (Ipswich)
Kusini Yengi (Western Sydney)
Turkey
Visiting?
Straddle the continents of Europe and Asia in Istanbul
Ephesus, the best-preserved Roman city in the eastern Mediterranean and a city that played a crucial role in early Christianity as written in the New Testament by the Apostle Paul who spent significant time there.
Sail the mediterranean out of Fethiye in a guilet (Turkish Yacht).
“Land of the Turks”
Population: 82 M
Area: 300,000 Miles2
Region: Transcontinental. Southeastern Europe & Western Asia
Capital: Ankara
Language: Turkish
Greeting: Hos geldiniz (welcome)
Cuisine: Bold, warm, earthy, spicy blends mediterranean, middle eastern and Asian. Olive oil, yogurt-based dips, cheeses, kababs, and baklava desserts.
Ay-Yildizlilar
“The Crescent-Stars”
Group D
World Ranking 22
WC Apps. 3
Best WC Finish: 3rd Place in 2002.
FIFA Governing Body: UEFA
Head Coach: Vincenzo Montella (Italian)
Captain: Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan)
All Time Top Scorer: Hakan Sukur (112 caps, 51 goals) in the 1990’s and 2000’s
About the Team
Making just their third World Cup appearance ever it will be tough to do better than they did last time out finishing 3rd in 2002. The team finished behind Spain in their UEFA qualification and qualified through the playoffs by beating Romania 1-0 and Kosovo 1-0. Lots of European talent on the team who will play with a disciplined, tactical approach. Expectations are high.
The Fans
Known as Cılgınlar (The Crazies), Turkish fans are among the most passionate in the world. Clean Sheet has talked about the rivalries and fan bases in the Turkish league and in particular the derby’s in Istanbul. This passion and energy are united for the National team, and their fans bring flares, noise, choreography.
Players to Watch
Kenan Yıldız (Juventus)
Arda Güler (Real Madrid)
Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan)
Mert Gunok (Besiktas) – GK
Barıs Alper Yılmaz (Galatasaray)
Caglar Soyuncu (FA)
