As one of the three co-hosts of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the tournament is as big now in the United States as it has ever been. The country will kick off its journey in the tournament on Friday, June 12, taking on Paraguay at 9 p.m.
The United States will be playing in Group D, which is a rather favorable outcome for the country. The three other countries that will be competing in that group are Australia, Paraguay and Türkiye. Of the four teams, the United States is ranked the highest by FIFA, currently in 17th place. Close behind is Türkiye at 22nd, followed by Australia in 27th and Paraguay in 41st. While all the teams are talented, on paper, the United States is likely to emerge out of the group stages. Below you can find more information on how their journey throughout the entry stage of the tournament will go.
Match 1: Paraguay
The United States’ first match will be against the lowest-ranked member of Group D, Paraguay. Playing on home turf, in California, the United States will look to make a statement and record a win in their first round of the tournament. The opening match of the group stages is often one of the most important for the entire tournament as it sets the tone for the duration of it. A win puts teams in control of their destiny, while a loss can leave teams fighting to stay alive for their next two matches.
Paraguay and the United States have met several times before, with the United States leading the series. The two first met nearly a century ago, at the 1930 FIFA World Cup, which saw the United States defeat Paraguay by a score of 3-0. Most recently, the two played in an international friendly match in November 2025, which once again saw the United States win.
Match 2: Australia
A week later, on Friday, June 19, the United States will play their second group stage match against Australia. The second match of the group stages can be equally important, though, the outcome of the first match heavily dictates its severity. If the United States defeats Paraguay, as many predict, a win would all but seal their spot in the round of 32, while a loss puts them in a compromising position and a draw still leaves them vulnerable.
The United States and Australia have faced each other several times, though, every match has been an international friendly. None have been able to mimic the intensity and stakes that come from a FIFA World Cup match. The United States has a winning record over Australia, defeating them twice, losing once and drawing once.
Match 3: Türkiye
On Thursday, June 25 at 10 p.m., the United States will be playing their final 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage match against Türkiye. Arguably, their most difficult opponent, the two top-ranked teams of Group D will be facing off. The stakes of the match will rely heavily on the outcomes of the first two. With the United States having more success against Paraguay and Australia, the team will hope to have secured a spot by the team they take on Türkiye.
The United States and Türkiye have faced off five times before, sharing an even record of two wins, two losses and a draw. Compared to the other two teams, Türkiye has given the United States its fiercest competition, which could prove to be a challenge.
The United States must not just win games, but also play to the best of their abilities, as goals scored and allowed could play a crucial role in tiebreakers. The co-hosts will hope to not have to rely on any tiebreakers, instead hoping to secure a spot through their record in group stage match play.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, the best way to stay up to date with all of the action is to tune into as many games as possible. The tournament will be taking over the entire globe and at the forefront is the Meadowlands, which will be hosting the final match.
