United States
North/Central America (CONCACAF) • USA • Group D
#11
FIFA Ranking
11
WC Appearances
Third Place (1930)
Best Finish
2022
Last World Cup
Road to the 2026 World Cup
United States secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the North/Central America qualification pathway. As a CONCACAF representative, they were among 6 teams from their confederation to earn a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament.
Currently ranked #11 in the FIFA World Rankings, United States enters the tournament as a dark horse team with expectations to compete at the highest level. With 11 previous World Cup appearances, they bring valuable tournament experience.
Group D Analysis
United States has been drawn in Group D and will face three opponents in the group stage. Each team plays 3 matches, with the top 2 advancing automatically and 8 best third-place teams also qualifying for the Round of 32.
Group D Opponents
Paraguay
FIFA Ranking: #57 • Challenging opponent
Australia
FIFA Ranking: #27 • Strong opponent
UEFA Playoff C
Unranked • Unknown opponent
Group D Fixtures for United States
Match 4
Jun 12, 2026
United States
vs.
Paraguay
SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Match 25
Jun 19, 2026
United States
vs.
Australia
Lumen Field, Seattle
Match 49
Jun 25, 2026
UEFA Playoff C
vs.
United States
SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Tournament Outlook
Realistic Expectations
Qualify from the group stage in the top two positions. A Round of 16 or Quarter-final appearance represents a successful tournament.
Best-Case Scenario
Reach the semi-finals or even the Final with a favorable draw and strong performances. History shows teams in this tier can surprise favorites and make deep runs.
Key Challenges
Consistency across all three group matches and handling pressure in knockout rounds. Must maximize chances against elite teams while avoiding slip-ups versus lower-ranked opponents.
Can United States Win the World Cup?
United States enters as a dark horse candidate — not among the top favorites, but certainly capable of a deep run with the right combination of form, luck, and tactical execution.
World Cup history is filled with teams ranked 11-20 who exceeded expectations and reached semi-finals or even finals. If United States can navigate their group and gain momentum in the knockout stage, they could surprise many observers. A tournament win would require everything to click at the right time, but it's not impossible.
World Cup History
United States has appeared in 11 FIFA World Cup tournaments, demonstrating their status as a regular competitor on the global stage.
Their best result was Third Place (1930), showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level of international football.
They last competed in the 2022 World Cup. As recent participants, they bring current tournament experience to 2026.
Multiple World Cup appearances have allowed United States to build experience and learn from both successes and setbacks on football's biggest stage.
Predict United States's Tournament Journey
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does United States play at World Cup 2026?▾
United States will play their first group stage match on June 12, 2026 against Paraguay. All three group stage matches will be completed by late June 2026, with knockout stage dates depending on their final group position.
Who is in Group D with United States?▾
United States has been drawn into Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia and UEFA Playoff C. Each team will play three matches in the group stage, with the top 2 teams automatically advancing to the Round of 32 and the 8 best third-place teams also qualifying.
What is United States's best World Cup finish?▾
United States's best World Cup finish is Third Place (1930). This represents their peak performance at the World Cup and demonstrates their ability to compete at the highest level of international football.
Can United States win the World Cup 2026?▾
United States can compete with any team on their day and could potentially make a deep run if things align. Ranked #11 in FIFA rankings, they're considered a dark horse — not among the top favorites, but capable of surprising people. World Cup history shows teams at this level can reach semi-finals or finals with strong performances and a bit of luck. An outright win would be a remarkable achievement but isn't impossible.