Socceroos to face co-host USA in Group D of next year’s FIFA World Cup
Australia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup group will include tournament co-host USA, Paraguay and one yet-to-determined European nation.
Tony Popovic’s Socceroos will welcome another brutal affair against the United States at next year’s FIFA World Cup after being drawn to meet the tournament co-host in a group yet to be finalised.
Certain to join Australia and the USA in Group D following Saturday morning’s draw in Washington DC is South American nation Paraguay.
However, the other Group D nation won’t be known until after March’s playoffs, with Australia’s remaining opponent to be either Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey or Romania.
The winner of that playoff path will also be the Socceroos’ first opponent at the 2026 World Cup, with the match to take place on June 13 (local time) in Vancouver, Canada.
The Popovic-coached Socceroos’ second World Cup match will be against the USA on June 19 (local time) in Seattle.
The two nations met in October in feisty international that didn’t live up to its friendly billing.
“The game was played in a very competitive spirit – there was nothing friendly really about the match,” Popovic said in reflecting on his side’s 2-1 loss in Colorado.
“It was a good indicator for us. We experienced everything we wanted to logistically. We experienced altitude, a tough opponent, and played well in the match.
“We get to do it again, and this time, with a lot more at stake. (It’s) a World Cup and a host nation, so it’s quite special, and I’m sure it will be a fantastic match.”
Australia will complete its Group D commitments with a game against Paraguay in Santa Clara, California on June 25 (local time).
It’s a game that will hold some extra significance for Popovic, whose final match of his Socceroos playing career was a 1-1 draw with Paraguay 19 years ago in Brisbane, where he scored Australia’s only goal.
“Now I’m coaching against them at a World Cup, which is very interesting,” he said.
“We need to watch them a little bit more in depth. They’re a fantastic team.
“The FIFA World Cup is always hard, and we have a tough group, but we’re looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead.”
Nations were drawn into 12 groups of four at the draw, with six of the 48 World Cup spots remaining up for grabs at March’s playoffs.
Mexico, one of the events three hosts along with USA and Canada, will play in the opening match of the tournament, a Group A clash against South Africa on June 11 (local time) in Mexico City.
The top two nations from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the round-of-32 knockout stage.
“We feel like everyone else in (Group D), that it’s a group that you get out of,” Popovic said. “I’m sure every nation looks at the teams and says ‘we’re a chance’ and we’re no different.
“We’ll go into it with a lot of optimism and confidence. I’m sure the boys are looking at the draw and can’t wait to get over there.”
2026 FIFA World Cup groups -
Group A - Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, (Czech Republic/Ireland/Denmark/North Macedonia)
Group B - Canada, (Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovinia/Italy/Northern Ireland), Qatar, Switzerland.
Group C - Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D - USA, Paraguay, Australia, (Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo)
Group E - Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F - Netherlands, Japan, (Ukraine, Sweden/Poland/Albania), Tunisia
Group G - Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H - Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I - France, Senegal, (Bolivia/Suriname/Iraq), Norway
Group J - Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K - Portugal, (New Caledonia/Jamaica/Congo), Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L - England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
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