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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is almost here and fans stateside are starting to feel the excitement.
For the next month, some of the best soccer players and teams the world has to offer will duke it out on North American soil for the right to hoist the World Cup.
The US Men’s National Team, in particular, is an exciting young soccer team looking to make some noise on their home turf, and their path to the knockout stage couldn’t have been much easier (with all due respect to their group members).
Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second half of the international friendly between the United States and Senegal at Bank of America Stadium on May 31, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Cory Knowlton/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
The Stars and Stripes begin their quest for a World Cup on Friday, June 12 at 21.00 Eastern against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
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Returning to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2010, the Paraguayans have been giant killers throughout their qualifying rounds, taking down the likes of South American heavyweights Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil.
Next on the list, the USA will face Australia on Friday, June 19 at 3pm in Seattle.
The Socceroos will do their best to slip away and play a very defensive brand of football against America, while also boasting a fantastic goalkeeper in Matthew Ryan.
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Tyler Adams of the United States watches before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between the Netherlands and the United States at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on December 3, 2022. (Maddie Meyer/FIFA/Getty Images)
Goals will be at a premium for anyone playing against Australia in this tournament.
To conclude the group stage, the USA will play Turkey on Thursday, June 25 at 10pm Eastern back in Los Angeles.
Fresh from a quarter-final appearance at Euro 2024, this is a very talented Turkey that may not have the star power of a France or Brazil, but will be a very dangerous out for anyone at the World Cup.
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Team USA fans celebrate with a flag during the soccer match between the United States and Panama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on June 27, 2024. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)
While the question of who advances may already be decided when Türkiye and the USA do battle, they are the two heavyweights in Group D and should make for an exciting finish to the group stage.
All three games will be streamed on Fox Sports and Fox One, with both Australia and Paraguay matchups available on Fox (blackout restrictions may apply).
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In addition, the match between USA and Paraguay will be available for free on Tubi.
Happy World Cup, everyone, and off to the USA!
