Group D Favorites at the 2026 World Cup: United States and Turkey Lead the Pack

2026 FIFA World Cup

According to Главком: The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday, June 11, 2026. Group D brings together four national teams: the United States, Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey. This overview covers FIFA rankings, best World Cup performances, head coaches, captains, and key players for each squad, along with Opta Analyst’s playoff probability predictions.

Group D Teams

• United States

  Ranked 16th in the world by FIFA, the U.S. national team’s best World Cup finish was a semifinal appearance in 1930. Manager Mauricio Pochettino leads the side, with Tim Ream serving as captain. Christian Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan and scored 10 goals this season, is considered the team’s standout player. Weston McKennie of Juventus in Turin is also a key contributor, netting nine goals over the season. Folarin Balogun, playing for Monaco in France, tallied 19 goals across all competitions. Pochettino plans to deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation.

• Paraguay

  Paraguay holds the 40th spot in the FIFA rankings, with their best World Cup result being a quarterfinal run in 2010. Head coach Gustavo Alfaro manages the squad, captained by Gustavo Gómez. Miguel Almirón is Paraguay’s leading player and will make his World Cup debut. After missing four consecutive tournaments, Paraguay returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2010. During 2026 qualifying, they defeated Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Paraguay lines up in a 4-4-2 formation and features 12 players aged 30 or older. Younger talents like Diego Gómez (23) and Julio Enciso (22) are also part of the roster.

• Australia

  Australia sits 27th in the FIFA rankings, with their best World Cup achievement being Round of 16 appearances in 2006 and 2022. Manager Tony Popović, appointed in 2024, leads the team, with Mathew Ryan as captain. Key player Nestory Irankunda, who plays for Watford in England, has recorded 40 matches, four goals, and five assists in the Championship. Australia has extended its World Cup qualification streak to six tournaments. The team typically uses formations with three center-backs.

• Turkey

  Turkey is ranked 22nd by FIFA and achieved its best World Cup result-third place-in 2002. Head coach Vincenzo Montella, who took over in fall 2023, previously played in the 2002 World Cup for Italy. Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu leads the squad, with Arda Güler as the standout player. After nearly a quarter-century away, Turkey returns to the World Cup and usually plays a 4-2-3-1 formation. Emerging talents include Kenan Yıldız and Arda Güler.

Opta Analyst’s playoff probability projections for Group D are as follows:

• United States - 76.78%
• Turkey - 73.76%
• Paraguay - 63.73%
• Australia - 58.67%

The expected points total for the United States is 4.59, while Australia’s stands at 3.53.

The competition in Group D promises to be compelling, as each team brings a distinct international track record. As the host nation, the United States enters as a favorite due to its ranking and strong player pool, while Paraguay, returning after a long World Cup absence, aims to surprise. Australia and Turkey also boast their own strengths, making the group highly competitive. Match outcomes could significantly shape the tournament’s later stages.

As the excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, fans are eager to learn about the players who will represent their countries. Turkey's squad announcement, featuring rising star Arda Güler, adds another layer of intrigue to Group D's competition, highlighting the depth of talent that will take the stage in this highly anticipated tournament.