World Cup 2026 Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
GROUP D FINAL: June 25 MD3, Turkey 3-2 USA (Güler 10', Kökçü 31', Ayhan 90+8'; Trusty 3', S. Berhalter 49'); Paraguay 0-0 Australia, AUSTRALIA QUALIFY as Group D runners-up. Final table: USA 1st 6 pts (+4 GD), Australia 2nd 4 pts (0 GD), Paraguay 3rd 4 pts (−2 GD), eliminated, Turkey 4th 3 pts (−2 GD), eliminated.
The context
The US Men’s National Team opened their home World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, crushing Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026, the biggest victory in USMNT World Cup history. An early own goal from Damian Bobadilla set the tone, and striker Folarin Balogun struck twice before the break to put the Americans in complete control. Gio Reyna added a fourth deep in stoppage time as a roaring Los Angeles crowd celebrated what felt like a statement to the rest of the tournament.
Two days later, on June 14, Australia joined the USA at the top of Group D with a composed 2-0 win over Türkiye at BC Place in Vancouver. Goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe gave the Socceroos a professional, disciplined victory. For Türkiye, back at the World Cup for the first time in 24 years, it was a difficult afternoon with few chances created. The result leaves the group perfectly poised: both the USA and Australia on 3 points, their direct clash on June 19 in Seattle already shaping up as the decisive match.
Matchday 2 (June 19) results: The USA confirmed their Round of 32 place with a professional 2-0 win over Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle. Playing without the injured Christian Pulisic, the Americans were patient and clinical: a Cameron Burgess own goal in the 11th minute opened the scoring, and Alex Freeman’s 43rd-minute header, flagged offside but confirmed by a long VAR review, sealed it. The USA are through with six points; it is an emphatic statement from a host nation playing in front of raucous home crowds.
At Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the evening’s most dramatic match unfolded. Paraguay’s Matías Galarza scored in the first 64 seconds, the fastest goal of the 2026 World Cup so far, to put the Guaraní ahead before Türkiye had touched the ball in attack. The game turned in the final seconds of the first half: Miguel Almirón, one of Paraguay’s most experienced players, was shown a straight red card in the 45+3’ for dangerous play in an incident covered by FIFA’s so-called “Vini Jr. rule” against covering the mouth while addressing an opponent. Paraguay faced the entire second half a man down but held firm to win 1-0 and keep their knockout-round hopes very much alive.
Türkiye, with zero points and a goal difference of −3 after two matches, were eliminated ahead of the final round. Group D’s defining match on June 25 was Paraguay vs Australia at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, a direct playoff for the second automatic qualifying spot.
Matchday 3 (June 25) results: In the dead rubber at SoFi Stadium, Türkiye produced a stunning result, beating a rotated USA side 3-2. Auston Trusty headed the USA in front after just three minutes, but Arda Güler levelled in the 10th and Orkun Kökçü put Turkey ahead in the 31st. Sebastian Berhalter equalised for the USA in the 49th minute before Merih Ayhan struck a dramatic winner in the 90+8th minute. A memorable parting moment for Turkey despite their elimination.
At Levi’s Stadium, Paraguay vs Australia finished 0-0, a tight, nervy affair in which neither side was willing to take risks that might gift the other the win. The draw was exactly what Australia needed: their superior goal difference (0 vs Paraguay’s −2) confirmed their place in the Round of 32 as Group D runners-up. Paraguay finish third with 4 points, their fate as a best third-place team to be confirmed once all group stages conclude.
Final Group D standings: 1st USA, 6 pts, +4 GD ✅. 2nd Australia, 4 pts, 0 GD ✅. 3rd Paraguay, 4 pts, −2 GD (third-place assessment). 4th Turkey, 3 pts, −2 GD ❌.