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Many have said that the World Cup would be a failure if the US didn’t get out of the group stage, not even knowing who they will face in it.
Well, the Stars and Stripes learned who they’ll be playing in the group stage on Friday, and by all accounts, the U.S. Men’s National Team should easily advance to the knockout stages.
The United States is the highest-ranked team in its group, joining Australia (26th), Paraguay (39th) and a team to be determined early next year in a playoff.
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Alejandro Zendejas #17 of the USA scores a goal and celebrates with Max Arfsten #18, Cristian Roldan #24 and Christian Pulisic #10 during an international friendly between Japan and the 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 have qualified for the World Cup, including each of the last six. Its best finish is the Round of 16, achieved on two occasions. One such instance came in Qatar four years ago when it lost to eventual champions Argentina.
Paraguay was placed in the American group, as it was not allowed to be in the same group as Brazil, the leader of Group C, because they are in the same confederation. This will be its first World Cup since 2010, when it reached the quarter-finals and lost to eventual champions Spain.
United States President Donald Trump selects 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 spot has yet to be decided, but will come down to Turkey, 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 are yet to take part in the event.
The USMNT has not 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. It returned to the Round of 16 three years ago, but failed to advance out of the Copa América group stage at home last year.
Tom Brady, Shaquille O’Neal, Aaron Judge and Wayne Gretzky were on hand to select the groups.
In 2026, the US will be looking for redemption and has favorable matchups early on.
A photo shows groups A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K and L during the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup, which will take place 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 USA opens the tournament on June 12 in Los Angeles against Paraguay on FOX.
