World Cup 2026 Group D Profile: Who Will Progress?

There is no clear favorite in Group D, which makes it one of the most exciting groups of the entire tournament. Hosts USA are aiming to make a major impact with home advantage and one of the most talented generations in their history. Turkey returns to the World Cup after a 24-year absence and could bring the most dangerous attacking lineup in the group. Paraguay is back on the world stage after 16 years and should not be underestimated. Australia may appear to be the underdog, but the Socceroos have repeatedly shown in recent years that they should never be written off.

USA vs. Paraguay June 13, 2026, 3:00 AM – SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles, USA) Tip: 1	Australia vs. Turkey June 14, 2026, 6:00 AM – BC Place Stadium (Vancouver, Canada) Tip: X	USA vs. Australia June 19, 2026, 9:00 PM – Lumen Field (Seattle, USA) Tip: 1
Turkey vs. Paraguay June 20, 2026, 5:00 AM – Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco, USA) Tip: 1	Turkey vs. USA June 26, 2026, 4:00 AM – SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles, USA) Tip: 2	Paraguay vs. Australia June 26, 2026, 4:00 AM – Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco, USA) Tip: 2

On paper, the USA and Turkey are the leading candidates for the top two spots. However, the situation is more open than in many other groups. While the Americans benefit from home advantage, their preparation has not gone entirely smoothly: coach Pochettino still has a few issues to resolve before the tournament begins. Turkey, meanwhile, boasts an attacking lineup featuring Çalhanoğlu, Arda Güler, and Kenan Yıldız that can trouble any defense. Paraguay and Australia are far from being without a chance: in the 48-team format, where some third-placed teams also advance, all four nations are expected to remain in contention until the very end.

Australia

The Socceroos have qualified for every World Cup since 2006 and most recently showed their potential at Qatar 2022: victories over Denmark and Tunisia saw them reach the Round of 16, where they were only stopped by eventual champions Argentina. Coach Tony Popovic took over the team in the middle of a crisis, remained unbeaten throughout qualification, and guided Australia into the tournament as group runners-up. With goalkeeper Mathew Ryan providing reliability at the back and Jackson Irvine driving the midfield, Australia has developed into a well-organized unit. The group is tough, but the Socceroos should definitely not be underestimated.

USA

As co-hosts, the USA enter the tournament with a clear mission: each of their last three World Cup appearances ended in the Round of 16, but that is supposed to change in 2026. Playing on home soil, the goal is at least a place among the final eight. Under coach Mauricio Pochettino, the team relies on pressing and quick transitions. Featuring a squad filled with players established in Europe’s top leagues – including captain Pulisic, McKennie, and Adams – expectations in the United States are enormous. That pressure could prove both a blessing and a curse.

Turkey

After 24 years of waiting, Turkey is finally back on the biggest stage in spectacular fashion. They qualified through the European playoffs, defeating Romania in the semifinal and Kosovo in the final, both by 1–0. Twenty-one-year-old Real Madrid star Arda Güler is the creative heart of the team, supported by Kenan Yıldız (Juventus) and captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter Milan). Turkey reached the quarterfinals of EURO 2024, and advancing to the knockout stage of the World Cup is the next target for this golden generation.

Paraguay

After a 16-year absence, La Albirroja are back. Under coach Gustavo Alfaro, Paraguay demonstrated their quality during CONMEBOL qualifying with victories over Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay – defeating all of South America’s major powers. Paraguay may not be known for spectacular football, but they are certainly an uncomfortable opponent. Defensive compactness and physical intensity are the trademarks of this side. Their best-ever World Cup result remains the quarterfinals in 2010, when they narrowly lost to eventual champions Spain late in the match.