The biggest moment in American soccer history is now. The United States co-hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and for a generation of players who grew up watching the sport explode in this country, this is the tournament they have been waiting for. Group D – USA, Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye – looks manageable on paper. But anyone who knows this team knows that it has a habit of turning “manageable” to “complicated” and Mauricio Pochettino knows it better than anyone.
Group D: A Path That Looks Easier Than It Is
The fixtures are spread across the West Coast, which works in the USMNT’s favor. The opener against Paraguay on 12 June at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will set the tone. Paraguay are a disciplined, defensive CONMEBOL side ranked 39th in the world, capable of grinding results against tough opposition. Australia follows on 19 June in Seattle, a team that reached the Round of 16 in 2022 and will not travel to the US simply to fill out the group. The closer against Türkiye on 25 June, back at SoFi Stadium, could be the decider. The Turks qualified through the UEFA playoffs and will bring real attacking depth into this tournament.
The Squad Pochettino Is Working With
The headline question heading into June is Christian Pulisic. The AC Milan attacker hasn’t scored for the national team since November 2024, and his club form in 2026 has been terrible – he has not scored a single goal in any competition in 2026. That said, this is Captain America we’re talking about here. Pulisic in a World Cup environment, in front of a crowd roaring for the US — now that’s different. Around him, the striker group is actually in strong shape: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright have each hit 18 or more club goals this season, giving Pochettino real options up front.
The group is drawing significant attention across the football world, and RealGM has become a go-to destination for tracking world cup group betting on realgm.com — including live odds, market movements, and group-stage analysis for every nation in the field. The data there reflects what most analysts feel: the US are favorites to advance, but far from certainties.
Türkiye: the Opponent That Should Worry Pochettino Most
Of the three opponents, Türkiye are the ones that demand the most tactical attention. They’re ranked 25th in the world and are a side with momentum and belief. Their third-place finish at the 2002 World Cup is ancient history now, but the current generation has quality in midfield and a physical presence that suits knockout football. If the group comes down to the USA vs Türkiye decider on 25 June, it will be one of the most-watched matches of the group stage.
The US should advance from Group D. The home advantage is real, the squad depth is better than it has been in years, and Pochettino’s 3-4-3 system seems like it has started to click. But “should” and “will” are very different words in international football. This team surely has the talent to reach the knockout rounds — the question is whether they have the mental resilience to do it when the pressure peaks. June will tell us everything.
