Key points to know
- The USA is one of the World Cup hosts and will play matches in Inglewood and Seattle.
- Turkey is returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2002, when it finished third.
- The USA is the group favourite with odds of 2.39 to win.
- The group without a clear favourite is one of the most balanced in the tournament.
- The main players to watch are Pulisic, Enciso, Irvine, Calhanoglu.
- The deciding match between the USA and Turkey will take place in the last round.
Group D teams and schedule
Group D is focused on the home team, but it will be very interesting to see what support the US team will get as football is not one of the most popular sports in this country. The group is very balanced, with no one team clearly outperforming the others in terms of talent.
The USA and Australia both played in the 2022 World Cup, Paraguay returned to the tournament for the first time since 2010, and Turkey last played as far back as 2002, when they finished third. For Turkey, this will be the third World Cup in its history.
Bookmakers' odds for winning the group or finishing in the top 2:
| Team | Win the group | TOP 2 |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 2,39 | 1,38 |
| Turkey | 2,76 | 1,58 |
| Paraguay | 4,70 | 1,87 |
| Australia | 8,00 | 4,50 |
Five of the six group games will be played in the USA – Inglewood, Seattle and Santa Clara. The only Australia v Turkey match will be played in Vancouver, Canada. The full schedule is below (times in Lithuanian time, summer GMT+3).
| Matches | Date and time (LT) |
|---|---|
| USA – Paraguay | 13 June, 04:00 |
| Australia – Turkey | 14 June, 07:00 |
| USA – Australia | 19 June, 22:00 |
| Turkey – Paraguay | 20 June, 06:00 |
| USA – Turkey | 26 June, 05:00 |
| Paraguay – Australia | 26 June, 05:00 |
Favourites and outsiders in Group D
Group D has no clear favourite or main outsider. The longest odds in the group are for Australia, but the team reached the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, so it's definitely not premature to write them off.
USA
The USA come into the 2026 World Cup with more pressure as they will be playing at home. The group draw was favourable as the opponents are of a similar level and one bad game will not close the door on the fight for a place in the play-offs.
For this team, it's all about coach Mauricio Pochettino and star Christian Pulisic. It would be a fiasco for the national team not to qualify for the round of 32, but it will not be easy to win the group.
Turkey
Turkey return to the World Cup after a strong showing at EURO 2024, where they reached the quarter-finals and lost 1-2 to the Netherlands. The squad will include the experienced Hakan Calhanoglu as well as young talents Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz.
If the team shows the football it showed two years ago, it would not be surprising if Turkey, not the USA, wins the group. Full official tournament details are available on FIFA's official 2026 tournament page.
Paraguay
Paraguay returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2010, which is already a good achievement. Not much is expected from the tournament itself, but the group is favoured to do more than just participate.
In the qualifiers, the Paraguayans were seen playing defensive football. They don't score many goals themselves, but they don't score often either. This is another reason to expect a lot of draws in this group.
Australia
According to the bookmakers, Australia is considered an outsider in the group, but the national team can certainly fight for points. It would not be a surprise if they still have a chance to qualify for the next round before the last match.
For Australia, this will be the sixth consecutive FIFA World Cup tournament and the team managed to reach the Round of 16 in 2022. There are no rivals in this group that stand out for their talent, which is usually what causes the Australians the most problems.
Players to watch in Group D
Group D doesn't have any standout teams with the best talent, but it's sure to see some intriguing and high-level football.
Christian Pulisic is the main player for the USA, but Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie are also worth mentioning. The core of the squad will be based on the same key players who participated in the 2022 World Cup. They also include Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun. Johny Cardoso will miss the tournament due to injury.
The Turkish national team arrives at the 2026 World Cup with the core of EURO 2024, where they achieved a solid result. Key players are captain Hakan Calhanoglu from Inter Milan, Arda Guler from Real Madrid and Kenan Yildiz from Juventus.
Veteran Jackson Irvine is still important for the Australian team, while Harry Couttar and Jordan Bos are also worth mentioning. Mathew Ryan and Alessandro Circati will be on the roster.
The Paraguayan line-up is distinguished by its experience – most of the players have been playing together for many years, so they have an excellent defence. Key players in the squad include Miguel Almiron, Julio Enciso and Diego Leon.
Highlights of Group D
Group D does not have a clear favourite, which is seen in almost all the other groups. The USA and Turkey will be fighting for first place and the fact that they will meet in the last match of the group adds an extra layer of interest.
Paraguay come into the tournament with a great defensive game and Australia are also strong defensively, so it will not be easy for the group leaders USA and Turkey in any of the matches. It looks like the Group D matches could be extremely close.
Even third place can qualify for the Round of 32, but Group D looks like a group in which the third team will not score many points. A lot of draws are to be expected here – so at least second place is likely to be needed to reach the next round.
Bookmakers are offering odds of 2.25 for the USA and Turkey to finish in the top two places. Given the strength of the group, this looks like a good value bet.
Betting outlook
Group D has a very balanced level of teams, so outright win bets offer fairly average odds. With a lot of draws predicted and a low average goals scored, the alternative is over under betting – especially the “less” selections in the first rounds when teams will play cautiously.
For a full list of participants with all groups, see the FIFA World Cup 2026 Participants article. When choosing a platform for the tournament, it is worth comparing the best betting companies.
Responsible betting on the tournament
The World Cup lasts almost six weeks and matches are played almost every day. This rhythm increases the risk of chasing losses or betting just for fun. Practical advice is provided by the responsible gambling guide.
Group D FAQs
Which teams are in Group D
The teams in Group D are USA, Turkey, Paraguay and Australia.
Who are the main favourites to win Group D
USA. The bookmakers are offering odds of 2.39 for her to win and 2.76 for Turkey. The difference between the two favourites is small.
Which teams are predicted to qualify for the next round from Group D
USA and Turkey. There is a good chance that only two teams will reach the round of 32 in Group D, with the third team unlikely to score enough points to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
Which is the most important match of Group D
The last match of the group is between USA and Turkey. It will take place on the night of 26 June, Lithuanian time, and should decide the first place.
Which team could be the biggest surprise in Group D
Turkey. While the USA is the group favourite at home, Turkey arrives at the World Cup with the same core that reached the quarter-finals at EURO 2024.
When was the last time Turkey participated in the World Cup
Turkey last participated in 2002 – a gap of 24 years. In that tournament, the national team finished third.
Which cities will host the Group D matches
Five of the six matches will be played in the USA – in Inglewood, Seattle and Santa Clara. The Australia vs Turkey game will be played in Vancouver, Canada.
What is the bookmakers' position on the USA vs. Turkey TOP 2
The bookmakers are offering odds of 2.25 for the USA and Turkey to take the top two places in the group. This is considered a good value bet.
