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Many have said that the World Cup would be a failure if the United States did not make it through the group stage, without even knowing who they will face in it.
Well, the Stars and Stripes found out on Friday who they will play in the group stage, and by all indications, the US men’s national team should advance to the knockout stage with ease.
The United States is the highest-ranked team in its group, joining Australia (26th), Paraguay (39th) and a team that will be determined early next year in a playoff.
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Alejandro Zendejas #17 of the United States scores a goal and celebrates with Max Arfsten #18, Cristian Roldan #24 and Christian Pulisic #10 during an international friendly match between Japan and USMNT at Lower.com Field on September 9, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (Robin Alam/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
This is the seventh time Australia has qualified for the World Cup, including the last six. Their best result is the round of 16, achieved on two occasions. One such case occurred in Qatar four years ago, when they lost to eventual champions Argentina.
Paraguay was placed in the American group since it was not allowed to be in the same group as Brazil, leader of Group C, because it was in the same confederation. This will be their first World Cup since 2010, when they reached the quarterfinals and lost to eventual champions Spain.
United States President Donald Trump picks the United States for Group D during the official draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
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The final place is still to be determined, but will depend on Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo. Turkey has played in two World Cups, finishing third in its last appearance in 2002. Romania is aiming for a comeback after last playing in 1998. Slovakia’s last appearance was in 2010, when it reached the round of 16, and Kosovo has yet to participate in the event.
The USMNT hasn’t had much success in the World Cup. The team reached the round of 16 in 2010 and 2014, but failed to qualify for the tournament in 2018. They returned to the round of 16 three years ago, but failed to advance from the group stage of the Copa América at home last year.
Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Aaron Judge and Wayne Gretzky were on hand to select the groups.
In 2026, the United States will seek redemption and will have favorable matchups from the beginning.
An image shows groups A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K and L during the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2025. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
The United States will open the tournament on June 12 in Los Angeles against Paraguay on FOX.
