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Group D

US World Cup 2026 Group D and Fixtures

The United States open in Los Angeles, travel to Seattle, then return to Los Angeles to close Group D, so the home-tournament feel is strong from the first match to the last. Mauricio Pochettino's side head into 2026 carrying the pressure of co-hosting and the chance to improve on the Round-of-16 run in Qatar.

The United States open in Los Angeles, travel to Seattle, and return to Los Angeles in Group D under Mauricio Pochettino.

Updated May 22, 2026. FIFA confirmed the final 26-player World Cup squads on June 2, 2026.

Group facts

Group

Group D

Confederation

CONCACAF

Opponents

Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye

First match

June 12, 2026

Last match

June 25, 2026

Full section: All teams

The US route and home pressure in Group D

The United States are one of the easiest teams to follow in 2026 because the home story, the coaching change and the core player group all point toward the same pressure test.

The question is not simply whether the USA can get out of the group. It is whether a more mature squad and Mauricio Pochettino can turn a loud home route into a deeper tournament run than 2022.

Player hub: Browse the current player directory

Quick team snapshot

United States see the same city at both ends of the group stage, leaving Los Angeles only for the middle match in Seattle.

  • Opening match: June 12, 2026 against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
  • Los Angeles appears at both ends of the route, with Seattle used only for the middle fixture.
  • Closing match: June 25, 2026 against Türkiye in Los Angeles.
  • Group-stage window: 13 days from the opener to the closer.

Group-stage route

  • Opener: Paraguay · 2026-06-12 · Los Angeles Stadium (Los Angeles)
  • Second match: Australia · 2026-06-19 · Seattle Stadium (Seattle)
  • Group closer: Türkiye · 2026-06-25 · Los Angeles Stadium (Los Angeles)

Fixtures hub: Browse all matches · Standings hub: Open group tables · Schedule hub: See stage dates

What the home schedule changes

Co-hosting changes the mood of every group-stage match. The crowd, expectation and scrutiny will all feel different for the United States than for most teams in the field.

Opening and closing in Los Angeles should give the USA a strong sense of occasion, while the trip to Seattle creates the only real change of setting in the group stage.

Coach and outlook

U.S. Soccer officially announced Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT head coach on 10 September 2024. The federation presented him as a coach who brings elite club experience and an energetic, proactive style.

For the United States, that appointment matters because 2026 is not a normal cycle. It is a home World Cup, and the coaching story is tied directly to how the team handles expectation, tempo and emotional control.

Squad update

The United States had not named an official 26-man World Cup squad as of May 22, 2026. FIFA says the final squad lists become official on June 2, 2026.

U.S. Soccer's current roster page includes senior names such as Matt Turner, Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson. It is a useful guide to the core group, but it is not the final World Cup list yet.

World Cup record

Appearances

12th finals

Best finish

Semi-finals in 1930

Last World Cup

Round of 16 in 2022

Host editions

1994 and 2026

The United States return for a 12th World Cup appearance, with the semi-finals in 1930 and the quarter-finals in 2002 still standing as the best reference points for a deeper run.

USMNT players to watch

These four names say a lot about how the United States create chances, carry transitions and handle big-game pressure.

Team hub: Browse all qualified teams

USMNT questions before kickoff

Quick answers on Pochettino, the home route, squad timing, and why every group night will feel louder than usual.

Who is coaching the United States at World Cup 2026?

U.S. Soccer officially announced Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT head coach on 10 September 2024, placing him in charge for the home World Cup cycle.

How many World Cups have the United States played?

FIFA's USA profile says 2026 will be the country's 12th men's World Cup appearance. The best finish remains the semi-finals in 1930, while the modern benchmark is the quarter-final run in 2002.

Is the final USMNT World Cup 2026 squad official yet?

Yes. FIFA confirmed the final 26-player squad on June 2, 2026, and the current U.S. Soccer roster page now serves as context rather than the final World Cup squad list.

Where do the United States play their group matches?

The USA open in Los Angeles against Paraguay, go to Seattle for the middle group match against Australia, and return to Los Angeles for the closer against Türkiye.