The four teams in Group D competing to advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 are the United States (14), Paraguay (39), Australia (26), and Turkey (22).

GROUP STAGE MATCHES

June 12: Coverage of Day 1 of Group D matches

U.S. beats Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles to earn 3 points

Paraguay US WCup Soccer Fans are seen before the World Cup Group D soccer match between Paraguay and the United States in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Jayne Kamin-Oncea/AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Analysis of the game: US opens its home World Cup with a dynamic 4-1 victory over Paraguay, sparked by Balogun’s 2 goals
The first goal: U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie kicked into the box, and the hit deflected off Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla and into the net.

Paraguay US WCup Soccer United States' Folarin Balogun, center, celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Paraguay with teamates during the World Cup Group D soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Andre Penner/AP Photo/Andre Penner)

U.S. left-wing forward Christian Pulisic made a pass to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun, who scored the team’s second goal against Paraguay.
Balogun scored the team’s third goal against Paraguay.
Folarin Balogun, who could have played for England or Nigeria, scores 2 for US in World Cup debut

APTOPIX Paraguay US WCup Soccer United States' Folarin Balogun (20) celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Paraguay with teamates during the World Cup Group D soccer match in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Andre Penner/AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Paraguayan attacking midfielder Maurício Magalhães, who was born in Brazil to a Paraguayan father, scores a goal.
U.S. wing midfielder Gio Reyna scores the team’s fourth goal.
Roaring crowds in stars and stripes show up for the US team, and soccer’s moment in their country

Paraguay US WCup Soccer Fans of United States cheer prior to the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Andre Penner/AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Get a feel for the pre-game fans in Los Angeles
Game preview: US ready for co-hosts’ final World Cup opener against Paraguay before a raucous SoCal crowd
US OPEN ’26: Scottie Scheffler trying to make history and Shinnecock tries to avoid recent history
Local connection: Broward native Alex Freeman set for World Cup debut with US men’s national team
Local watch party: Amerant Bank Arena hosts watch party for United States opener against Paraguay

Australia plays against Turkey at midnight at BCP Vancouver

Track standings tables on Google
Track standing tables on FIFA

June 19: Coverage of Day 2 of Group D matches

The United States plays against Australia at 3 p.m. at the Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.

Turkey plays against Paraguay at 11 p.m. at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

June 25: Coverage of Day 3 of Group D matches

Turkey plays against the United States at 10 p.m. at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Paraguay plays against Australia at 10 p.m. at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D: United States beats Paraguay 4-1 to get 3 points

U.S. striker Folarin Balogun scores 2 out of 4 goals against Paraguay

Track the groups

About The Author

Andrea Torres