USMNT at the World Cup Draw

Americans Receive Favorable Draw in Group D

The United States was shown its opponents at Friday's 2026 FIFA World Cup ceremony in Washington, D.C., learning they will face Australia, Paraguay, and a European playoff qualifier in Group D.

Currently ranked No. 14 globally, the Americans appear well-positioned to advance from a group many consider manageable. Australia, ranked 26th, has qualified for six consecutive World Cups but never advanced beyond the Round of 16. Paraguay, ranked 39th, returns to the tournament for the first time since reaching the 2010 quarterfinals. The final opponent will emerge from a March playoff between Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo.

The draw took place at the Kennedy Center,  where sports legends Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge, and Shaquille O'Neal participated in selecting the groups. At the same time, musical performances by Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, and Lauryn Hill added to the spectacle, prolonging it. 

For the USMNT, expectations are sky-high. Under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was hired following a disappointing Copa América exit, anything less than advancing from Group D would be considered a significant disappointment on home soil. The Americans will open their campaign against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, then face Australia on June 19 in Seattle and conclude group play on June 25 back in Inglewood.

The expanded 48-team format means the top two finishers from each group, plus eight third-place teams, will advance to the knockout rounds. With the United States hosting the majority of matches, including all games from the quarterfinals onward, the pressure is on Pochettino's squad to deliver a memorable performance that can elevate soccer's profile in America and finally break through against non-CONCACAF opposition.