According to ESPN, the 2026 World Cup group stage is divided into 12 groups of four teams each. Group D features the United States, Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye.
According to ESPN, the United States enter Group D ranked 16th by FIFA and are making their 12th World Cup appearance (1930, 1934, 1950, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2022, 2026). The U.S. have consecutive appearances in 2022 and 2026, a best finish of third place in 1930 and an all-time record of 9-8-20 (W-D-L). Landon Donovan is the team’s leading scorer with five goals; Bert Patenaude holds the U.S. single-tournament mark with four goals in 1930. Tim Howard holds the record for most saves in a World Cup match (15) in a 2-1 Round of 16 loss to Belgium in 2014 (since 1966), according to ESPN.
According to ESPN, Paraguay is ranked 40th and is making its ninth World Cup appearance (1930, 1950, 1958, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2026). Paraguay has one active consecutive appearance (2026) and its best finish is the quarterfinals in 2010. The country’s overall record at the World Cup is 7-10-10. Nelson Cuevas is Paraguay’s top scorer with three goals. Paraguay’s first World Cup match was a 3-0 loss to the United States in 1930, per ESPN.
According to ESPN, Australia is ranked 27th and making its seventh appearance (1974, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) with six consecutive tournaments from 2006 through 2026. Australia’s best finishes are reaching the Round of 16 in 2006 and 2022, and its all-time record is 4-4-12. Tim Cahill is Australia’s top scorer with five goals; single-tournament two-goal marks have been recorded by Cahill (2006, 2014), Brett Holman (2010) and Mile Jedinak (2018). Australia has qualified for the World Cup representing two different confederations: OFC in 1974 and 2006, and AFC from 2010 onward, according to ESPN.
According to ESPN, Türkiye is ranked 22nd and making its third World Cup appearance (1954, 2002, 2026). Türkiye’s best finish is third place in 2002 and its overall World Cup record is 5-1-4. Suat Mamat, Buhran Sargun and Ilhan Mansiz are listed as Türkiye’s top scorers with three goals apiece; Ilhan Mansiz scored three in 2002. Hakan Sükür holds the World Cup record for the fastest goal at 10.89 seconds, scored in the 2002 third-place match against South Korea. For more World Cup content, see the ESPN World Cup hub, according to ESPN.
