The 2026 World Cup will be here before you know it. This summer, the USMNT will be on friendly turf, trying to make a run deep into the knockout stages and taking advantage of a core hitting its prime. But, first things first, they have to take care of business in the group stage. Let’s get to know the teams Team USA will face in Group D.

Australia

A stout veteran team, the Australians have made noise at the World Cup before. They have very little roster turnover, giving them valuable familiarity with each other’s play styles. Manager Tony Popovic has consistently gotten the most out of this team, and they netted a huge AFC qualification final win against Saudi Arabia to secure their World Cup spot in June of last year.

Somewhat uncharacteristically, they have an influx of youth, giving some new dimension to this team. Patrick Yazbek, the Nashville SC winger, has made significant contributions at just 23 years old. Aiden O’Neill, another guy who plies his trade in the USA, has been a quality central midfielder. Connor Metcalfe, the FC St. Pauli striker, has been a strong finisher at the top of their lineup. But it’s the strong veterans who make this team tick, led by keeper Mathew Ryan.

Ranked #27 by FIFA, the Aussies are on the outside looking in to qualify, at least on paper. But they’ve shown the gumption to pull off World Cup upsets before.

Paraguay

With the lowest-ranked team in the group at 40th overall, many have written off Paraguay as bound to be a doormat. But they put on a great showing at the CONMEBOL qualifiers, hanging with some of the best teams the Americas had to offer. They netted huge wins over Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, the defending World Cup champs. Paraguay also negotiated draws against Uruguay and Colombia, securing their spot in the upcoming World Cup.

It all starts at the back for Paraguay. They have a veteran defense, anchored by Sunderland man Omar Alderete, Gustavo Gomez, and Junior Alonso. Roberto Fernandez is still a strong No. 1 keeper at 36. That kind of platform gives their young, talented attacking group a chance to go to work. Diego Gomez and Julio Enciso lead the charge out wide. Enciso, in particular, is a dangerous man to watch on the outside. He was the man on fire after joining Strasbourg this season.

Veteran defenders and goalkeeper, veteran strikers, and young and exciting talent out wide that can move around the formation. That’s a good formula for a team to turn some heads in the 2026 World Cup.

Turkiye

Alongside the USA, Turkiye is one of the best bets to win Group D outright. And it all comes down to their dynamic duo up top. Arda Güler, the 20-year-old Real Madrid wonderkind, is coming into his own as one of the premier attacking midfielders in Europe. On his flank is Kenan Yildiz, another 20-year-old who has lit it up for Juventus in Serie A. Those two power an attack topped by Kerem Akturkoglu, who is more than capable of cleaning his plate when Güler and Yildiz cook for him. It’s a potent attack that will take some stopping.

Questions remain about the back line, though. Merih Demiral, the Al Ahli center back, is just about the only sure thing in manager Vincenzo Montella’s lineups. Beyond that, he is left with a lot of uncertain quantities. Do they experiment with five at the back, pushing veteran defensive midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu to the bench? Is Caglar Söyüncü the answer at the other center back spot, or is it Abdülkerim Bardakci? The wing back spots are a bit uncertain, though Mert Müldür figures to have the inside track at right back. The talent is a bit uncertain here, so it’ll take a lot of timely button-pressing from Montella to get the most out of this group.

Center midfield is a bit of a question as well, though it is more of an embarrassment-of-riches problem than the back line. Hakan Calhanoglu is still a quality defensive midfielder, but the formation may not call for his inclusion. Orkun Kökcü has a strong case for best overall center midfielder on the team, but does he get the call over Borussia Dortmund man Salih Özcan? Will Oguz Aydin figure into the equation as a starter despite his lack of experience? Again, pressure is on Montella to figure it out.

In terms of high-end stars and overall talent, Turkiye fields the best team in the group. But the questions about their back line may undo it all.