Group D is probably the hardest to predict. None of the four teams is a traditional heavyweight, yet each has qualities that could take them far. The USA have home advantage and a high-profile coach, Turkey have two genuinely world-class talents, while Paraguay and Australia have teams noted for robustness and tenacity. Good luck predicting who comes out on top!
United States – World Rank 16
This will be the USA’s 12th appearance at the FIFA World Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino – The Coach
Though he won Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain four years ago, Pochettino’s stock has fallen since his glory years with Tottenham Hotspur, which culminated in a Champions League final in 2019. Where he goes after this tournament will depend largely on how well the USA perform.
Christian Pulisic – The Main Man
It didn’t work out for him amid the off-field chaos at Chelsea, but a move to AC Milan has helped him once again show why he was once one of the world’s most coveted talents. His form will be central to Pochettino’s tactics, but consistency continues to be an issue.
Folarin Balogun – Shooting Star
Couldn’t crack the code at Arsenal, but has found his feet and shooting boots in Monaco. Coming off a 19-goal season, he will be crucial to the USA’s hopes of at least emulating the quarterfinal finish from 2002.
Fixtures
13 June, vs Paraguay – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
20 June, vs Australia – Lumen Field, Seattle
26 June, vs Turkey – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
World Cup Highlight
We can disregard the third place in 1930. In modern times, it would be the 2002 campaign, where they upset Portugal in the group phase and beat Mexico in the last 16, before going out to Germany.
Prediction
This is one of the tightest groups, but home advantage should see the USA take one of the top two spots. Much will depend on how they deal with a defensively robust Paraguay first up. It’s hard to see this side going past the last 16 though.
Turkey – World Rank 22
This will only be Turkey’s third appearance on the biggest stage, and their first since 2002.
Vincenzo Montella – The Coach
“The Little Airplane” became a cult hero in Rome when he was part of the side that Fabio Capello coached to their last Serie A title. As a coach, he has brought harmony to an often-volatile dressing room.
Arda Guler – The Main Man
Still hasn’t fully found his feet at Real Madrid, but there have been more than enough glimpses of a generational talent that can both create and score. While the experienced Hakan Calhanoglu is vital, Guler will undoubtedly be the main creative outlet.
Kenan Yildiz – The Shooting Star
With 11 goals and 10 assists, Yildiz’s performances were the saving grace of a poor Juventus campaign. He will be as important as Guler, coming in off the wing, especially in the absence of a Hakan Suker-quality No. 9.
Fixtures
14 June, vs Australia – BC Place, Vancouver
20 June, vs Paraguay – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco
26 June, vs USA – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
World Cup Highlight
Suker, Hasan Sas and company took them to third place in 2002, losing to eventual winners Brazil.
Prediction
They will be dangerous floaters, especially if they can upstage the hosts and top the group.
Australia – World Rank 27
The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks Australia’s seventh appearance and their sixth in a row.
Tony Popovic – The Coach
Capped 58 times by the Socceroos, Popovic was a tough-as-nails defender in the side that reached the last 16 in 2006. As coach, he has won both the A League and the Asian Champions League.
Jordan Bos – The Main Man
The Feyenoord left-back won a Player of the Month honour in his Eredivisie first season with the Rotterdam giants. For the national side, he will play further forward still and be expected to join any fast transitions.
Nestory Irankunda – The Shooting Star
It didn’t work out for the Tanzania-born Burundian at Bayern Munich, but he’s been making a name for himself in the EFL Championship with Watford. A nifty dribbler with a rocket shot, he could be the X-factor.
Fixtures
14 June, vs Turkey – BC Place, Vancouver
20 June, vs USA – Lumen Field, Seattle
26 June, vs Paraguay – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco
World Cup Highlight
Beat Tunisia and Denmark after being thrashed by France in their 2022 opener. Gave Argentina an almighty scare in the last 16.
Prediction
You never write off Australia in any sport. The additions of Irankunda and Mohamed Touré give an unpredictable edge to an otherwise solid side. Could sneak a last-32 place if they start well against Turkey.
Paraguay – World Rank 40
This will be the South Americans’ ninth World Cup appearance, and a first since 2010.
Gustavo Alfaro – The Coach
The Argentine who arrived preaching the virtues of intensity and clean sheets coached Ecuador in Qatar. He made Paraguay so hard to beat that they lost only to Brazil away from home in CONMEBOL qualifying.
Julio Enciso – The Main Man
Once of Brighton, and Ipswich (on loan), Enciso finally found his feet in European football at Strasbourg, Chelsea’s sister club. A clever playmaker with stardust in his boots, Enciso has taken over the creative burden from Miguel Almiron, once of Newcastle.
Damián Bobadilla – The Shooting Star
Typical of a hard-working side, Bobadilla is an industrious midfielder who has been catching the eye with Sao Paulo in Brazil. His father was a goalkeeper for the national team.
Fixtures
13 June, vs USA – SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
20 June, vs Turkey – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco
26 June, vs Australia – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco
World Cup Highlight
Topped a group containing Italy and Slovakia in 2010, and then knocked Japan out in the last 16. Spain needed a late, late goal from David Villa to knock out a side that conceded just twice in five games.
Prediction
They scored only 14 goals in 18 qualifying games, but that was offset by a miserly defence that gave up just 10 goals. That defensive solidity and tenacity will be central to hopes of progress. It wasn’t for nothing that Jose Luis Chilavert, their legendary goalkeeper, had a bulldog cartoon on his shirt. Expect them to challenge for a last-32 spot.
Also Read: Messi Leads Argentina’s Title Defence as Austria and Algeria Eye Last-16 Berth in Group J
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