World Cup 2026: Group D Preview

Preview to Group D

USA

MANAGER: Mauricio Pochettino

FIFA RANKING: 16

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 11

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: 3rd Place - 1930

USA are back hosting the World Cup 32 years after they last hosted it in 1994 and they'll be feeling confident that they can give this one a good shot. They might not be in the best of form at the moment, but they do have a good squad of players and having home advantage will be a big plus for them as they'll have the crowd on their side and will be familiar with their surroundings.

KEY PLAYER: Christian Pulisic

Position: Winger

Club: AC Milan

It's been a decade since Pulisic made his debut for the national team and he's been their go-to player for the majority of his years with them. He's always delivered for his country when asked to step up and they'll need him to do exactly that if they're going to make the most of this home World Cup.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Folarin Balogun

Position: Striker

Club: Monaco

The former Arsenal academy graduate is finally feeling at home in Monaco following a tough start and he comes into this tournament off the back of his best goal scoring season since joining them. If he can carry that form into this tournament, the US could cause some surprises.

PREDICTION: Quarter Finals

Home advantage will definitely play a part as they'll have the crowd behind them and they're also in a very open and winnable group. With a good squad at their disposal and a good manager in charge alongside having home advantage, they could threaten the latter stages.

PARAGUAY

MANAGER: Gustavo Alfaro

FIFA RANKING: 40

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 8

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Quarter Finals - 2010

Paraguay are back at a World Cup finals for the first time since 2010 where they recorded their best World Cup on record by reaching the Quarter Finals. They were one of the surprise packages at that tournament and they'll be looking to do the same at this one with a squad mixed with experienced players and a few young ones. Being in an open group certainly gives them hope of being that team again, but it will be tough as they'll be the main underdogs in this group.

KEY PLAYER: Gustavo Gomez

Position: Centre Back

Club: Palmeiras

Gomez is Paraguay's captain and the leader in their backline. As a defender he's good in the air, calm, a good reader of the game and is always willing to put his body on the line. He'll need to show every leadership quality he has alongside his abilities as a defender if Paraguay are to make it out the group.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Julio Enciso

Position: Forward

Club: Strasbourg

The former Brighton attacker is still far from being the finished article but we shouldn't forget that he's still 22 years of age. He's arguably the most talented player Paraguay have in their squad and this could be the tournament where he shows the world what he's about.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

They don't have the quality that most of the teams at this tournament have and will be big underdogs in this group for that very reason. Because of this I can see them go home early.

AUSTRALIA

MANAGER: Tony Popovic

FIFA RANKING: 27

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 6

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Last 16 x2 - 2006 and 2022

Australia equalled their best World Cup finish four years ago in Qatar by reaching the last 16 and they could reach that stage again at this tournament as they're in a more open group. But doing so will be a challenge as their current squad isn't blessed with may quality players or players that are incredibly well-known. This might even be their weakest squad at a World Cup finals.

KEY PLAYER: Aiden O'Neill

Position: Midfielder

Club: New York City

O'Neill is the one who mops up everything in front of him by winning loose balls and making crucial challenges when his team need him to. Him doing that job allows the players ahead of him to push up knowing they have someone behind them to do the ugly side of the game.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Nestory Irankunda

Position: Winger

Club: Watford

Irankunda had an impressive debut season at Watford last season where he was one of the breakout stars of the Championship. He'll be someone the Aussies will look to bring on when they're in need of injecting some pace into their play and pace is something he has an abundance of.

PREDICTION: Last 32

They don't have many well-known or quality players in their squad. They will make it difficult for teams as they're defensively well organised, but I don't see them going past their best finish.

TURKEY

MANAGER: Vicenzo Montella

FIFA RANKING: 22

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 2

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: 3rd Place - 2002

Turkey are back at a World Cup finals for the first time since 2002 where they surprised everyone to reach the semi finals. They've always been a nation who aren't used to qualifying for World Cup's with this being their third appearance at these finals compared to the six they've made at the Euros. Their manager Vicenzo Montella was part of that side from 2002 and he'll be determined to make more history at these finals as a manager with a squad mixed with experienced and young players, some of whom weren't born the last time they featured at these finals.

KEY PLAYER: Hakan Canhanoglu

Position: Midfielder

Club: Inter Milan

Turkey's experienced captain runs the show in the midfield and he also loves to take a shot from distance. Players are always on the move when he has the ball because of the kind of passes he can pull off and the vision he has to pick out his teammates. He'll be the player that gets Turkey attacks started because he is always looking to play the ball forward.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Arda Guler

Position: Forward

Club: Real Madrid

Guler featured a lot more for Real Madrid last season than he did in previous seasons and he chipped in with some vital goal contributions. He's got a bright future ahead of him at the age of 21 and if he can build on his impressive displays at the Euros two years ago, Turkey could cause some surprises.

PREDICTIONS: Last 16

They have a good and exciting squad at their disposal with the potential to cause some upsets. Because of this I fancy them to make it out of the group.