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Group D CONCACAF Host nation FIFA #16

USA at the 2026 World Cup

By Rick Baron · Updated 2026-06-09

USA are in Group D with Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye. Head coach: Mauricio Pochettino (Argentina). Captain: Christian Pulisic. Below: full squad spotlight, fixture-by-fixture US broadcast info, and what to expect.

Head coach
Mauricio Pochettino (Argentina)
Captain
Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)
Best ever
3rd place (1930)
FIFA ranking
#16

The coach

Former PSG, Tottenham, and Chelsea manager. The first non-American coach to lead the USMNT at a World Cup. Hired in late 2024 to professionalize the program. Brings a creative, possession-based style that's a departure from previous USMNT identities.

Key players

Christian Pulisic
FW · AC Milan
captain + leading attacker, 84 caps, the on-field leader
Tyler Adams
MF · Bournemouth
midfield enforcer, 2022 captain
Weston McKennie
MF · Juventus
box-to-box workhorse
Folarin Balogun
FW · Monaco
primary striker, goal threat
Malik Tillman
MF · PSV
rising attacking midfielder
Ricardo Pepi
FW · PSV
alternative striker option

Tournament storyline

The USMNT enters their home tournament with the highest external expectations in program history. Pochettino — hired from Chelsea in late 2024 — is the first European-level manager to coach the US at a World Cup, and his arrival flipped the narrative from 'project' to 'we should beat people.' Group D is favorable: Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye. The 26-man roster mixes 13 returnees from 2022's Round of 16 squad with 13 World Cup first-timers. Pulisic is the captain and the focal point in attack; Adams and McKennie anchor the midfield; Balogun and Pepi compete to lead the line. The opener against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 12 sets the tone for the entire tournament's American narrative.

Ceiling: Quarterfinal — home-soil energy, Pochettino's tactical creativity, a generation of European-based pros, and a forgiving group.

Floor: Round of 32 — repeating 2022's Round of 16 finish but no further, which would be seen as a disappointment given Pochettino's profile.

Group D fixtures & how to watch

All times Eastern. FOX matches are free over the air with a $30 antenna. FS1 matches require cable or a streaming trial (Fubo, YouTube TV, Sling Blue, DirecTV Stream). Telemundo carries every match in Spanish — also free over the air.

Fri, Jun 12
21:00 ET
USA vs Paraguay
Group D · Los Angeles · SoFi Stadium
FOX FREE OTA
Fri, Jun 19
15:00 ET
USA vs Australia
Group D · Seattle · Lumen Field
FOX FREE OTA
Thu, Jun 25
22:00 ET
USA vs Türkiye
Group D · Los Angeles · SoFi Stadium
FOX FREE OTA

Group D rivals

Last verified 2026-06-09. Squad announcements, coach changes, and injury statuses move fast — we refresh team pages daily during the tournament.