There is plenty of intrigue surrounding Group D at this summer's World Cup.
Co-hosts the United States are the favourites to progress through to the knockout rounds, but with Paraguay, Turkiye and Australia all boasting lofty ambitions of their own, it's anybodies guess as to who will progress.
Mauricio Pochettino's side will be under immense pressure on home soil, but know a deep run in the competition would play a significant role in helping further elevate the sport's already rapidly growing status across the country.
Teams
- United States
- Paraguay
- Turkiye
- Australia
Fixtures
Date | Fixture | Kick-off (BST) | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
13th June | USA v Paraguay | 02:00 | SoFi Stadium |
14th June | Australia v Turkiye | 05:00 | BC Place |
19th June | USA v Australia | 20:00 | Lumen Field |
20th June | Turkiye v Paraguay | 04:00 | Levi's Stadium |
26th June | Turkiye v USA | 03:00 | SoFi Stadium |
26th June | Paraguay v Australia | 03:00 | Levi's Stadium |
United States of America
As one of three co-hosts, the United States weren't required to qualify for the World Cup and head into the group stages as the highest ranked nation of the four teams in their group.
Recent defeats in international friendlies against the likes of Germany, Portugal and Belgium have tempered expectations somewhat, although there is still huge pressure on the shoulders of the men's national team with the absolute minimum expectancy being they progress into the knockout rounds.
Manager
Mauricio Pochettino
Make no mistake about it, there is pressure weighing heavily on Mauricio Pochettino this summer.
The Argentinean enjoyed an impressive start to his reign as boss after taking over the hotseat in 2024, but a disappointing Concacaf Nations League, together with a poor run of form leading into this month's showpiece means that positive results in the group stages are a must.
The expectancy is that he comfortable guides the USA through to the elimination rounds, with a potential quarter-final berth likely being deemed as success for the former Tottenham Hotspur boss.
Key Player
Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic is the undoubted sprinkle of gold dust in the United States side, with the Milan star his country's all-time record goalscorer and assist-maker across Europe's top five leagues.
A linchpin in the national team, the attacker has netted 33 times in his 86 international appearances to date and the US fortunes this summer could likely hinge on his form.
Breakout player
Alex Freeman
Alex Freeman is already proving he boasts the credentials to succeed in La Liga, impressing in his handful of appearances for Villarreal since joining from Orlando City in January.
The attacking full-back has already shone on the international stage too, notching two goals in his 17 appearances and will undoubtedly play a key role in his nation's fortunes for the next decade or more.
Odds
Paraguay
Paraguay are gearing up for their first World Cup since 2010 and it's fair to say that the South Americans will fancy their chances of a deep run.
A sixth place finish in the Latin qualifiers means they are heading to the United States, Canada and Mexico as automatic qualifiers and will like the look of the group they have found themselves in.
The hot and humid conditions will likely play into their hands, and whilst few will be backing them to go the full distance, they have the mindset, coach and quality to defy their long odds.
Manager
Gustavo Alfaro
Gustavo Alfaro has already etched his name into the hearts of the Paraguayan public after leading the nation to automatic qualification, highlighted by triumphs over heavyweights Argentina and Brazil.
The 63-year-old puts a huge emphasis on the motivational side of management, and has often publicly recited positive quotes from authors and key historical figures to help drive belief across his team and country.
Victories over Mexico, Greece and most recently Nicaragua means Paraguay head into the showpiece in a positive frame of mind, something that will be key to their fortunes over the coming month or more.
Key player
Miguel Almiron
A familiar name to Premier League viewers, and particularly those of a Newcastle United persuasion - Miguel Almiron played a key role in Paraguay's fortunes in qualifying for the World Cup.
Vastly experienced, the 32-year-old now plies his trade for Atlanta United in the United States, having ended his six-year association with Newcastle last year.
A stalwart for his country, Almiron boasts 76 international caps and has weighed-in with 10 goals, a tally he will hope to improve upon over the coming weeks.
Breakout player
Enso Gonzalez
Slight in frame and stature, there's nothing anywhere near as slight as Enso Gonzalez's potential.
The 21-year-old is currently on the books of Wolverhampton Wanderers after signing for £6 million as a teenager two years ago.
Whilst he has struggled to forge a breakthrough into the senior set-up at Molineux, he is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in South America, and will be hoping that the grand stage of the World Cup will prove to be where the tricky winger finally comes of age.
Odds
Turkiye
Turkiye return to the World Cup stage for the first time in 24 years and it's fair to say that they will be looking to make up for lost time.
Remarkably, the nation haven't qualified for FIFA's showpiece since famously reaching the semi-finals back in 2002 - a run that the class of 2026 will be hoping to emulate.
One of the youngest sides at the competition, the squad features a handful of supremely talented performers including Real Madrid's Arda Guler and Juventus' Kenan Yildiz.
Manager
Vincenzo Montella
Turkiye rubber-stamped their first World Cup in well over two decades under the masterful eye of Vincenzo Montella.
The Italian helped his side secure second spot in a difficult European qualifying group featuring Spain, before leading them to a pair of narrow 1-0 victories over Romania and Kosovo to reach the finals.
Back-to-back friendly triumphs in June, against North Macedonia and Venezuela, have since helped maintain Turkiye's feel-good factor.
Key player
Hakan Calhanoglu
One of the best midfielders in world football, Hakan Calhanoglu is primed to finally fulfill his dream of representing his country on the World Cup stage.
The Inter Milan star has racked up 106 caps for his nation, scoring 22 times and will form the heartbeat of a side looking to advance through to the knockout rounds.
The 32-year-old notched 12 times in all competitions for the Italian side last term, meaning he has now hit double-figures in each of his three most recent campaigns at the San Siro.
Breakout player
Arda Guler
One of the most exciting young talents in world football, Arda Guler is no stranger to the big stage having starred for European heavyweights Real Madrid for the past three years.
The 21-year-old has already made 112 appearances at the Santiago Bernabeu, impressing with his electric pace, dribbling abilities and his creativity around the box.
Whilst he is already renowned for his talents, shining at the World Cup would serve to elevate his already glowing reputation in the game.
Odds
Australia
Whilst Australia may be lacking in terms of star power, they undoubtedly possess the mindset and drive to cause a bit of a stir across the Atlantic.
The Socceroos reached the last 16 in Qatar four years ago and will hope to advance beyond the group stages yet again as they look forward to a sixth successive World Cup appearance.
They made relatively light work of their qualifying campaign, but know they will be challenged to a far greater extent by the trio of the United States, Paraguay and Turkiye.
Manager
Tony Popovic
The success of Graham Arnold's side in the Middle East four years ago means there is plenty of expectancy on Tony Popovic and his group of players this time around.
The expanded format of the competition means three teams from Group D could advance and it would come as a huge blow to the 52-year-old head coach's chances of holding onto his position as boss should he fall at the first hurdle.
Capped 58 times by his country as a player, the former Crystal Palace defender has won 10 of his 18 matches in charge of Australia, being beaten just four times.
Key player
Harry Souttar
The towering and commanding Leicester City defender will play a significant role for his country at both ends of the pitch this summer, having already flexed his muscle on the international stage in Qatar in 2022.
Standing at 6' 6" tall, Aberdeen-born Souttar has bagged 11 times for his country and is an immense threat from set-pieces.
Aside from his attacking prowess, the 27-year-old often cuts a calm and reassuring figure at the heart of the backline and his form will undoubtedly be key to the Soccerros fortunes.
Breakout player
Jordan Bos
Livewire left-wing back Jordan Bos has excelled for Feyenoord since joining the Dutch giants last summer and is gearing up for his first taste of World Cup football having established himself as a mainstay in Tony Popovic's side.
The 23-year-old netted in back-to-back internationals against Cameroon and Curacao in March and will hope to showcase his attacking flavour across each of his side's three Group D matchups.
Odds
- World Cup Group A Preview: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
- World Cup Group B Preview: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
- World Cup Group C Preview: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
- World Cup Group E Preview: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
- World Cup Group F Preview: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
- World Cup Group G Preview: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
- World Cup Group H Preview: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
- World Cup Group I Preview: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
- World Cup Group J Preview: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
- World Cup Group K Preview: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
- World Cup Group L Preview: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
Odds displayed in the above article were correct at time of writing and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time.
