As co-hosts alongside Canada and Mexico, the United States was an automatic qualifier for the 2026 World Cup. It’ll mark the 12th time that the USMNT will compete at the World Cup.
In the World Cup draw on Dec. 5, the U.S. was placed in a group with Paraguay, Australia and the winner of UEFA’s Playoff C – Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo or Romania.
The USMNT has made it through the group stage but could not advance past the Round of 16 in three of the last four World Cups (it did not qualify for the 2018 tournament). After a third-place finish at the inaugural World Cup in 1930, the USMNT’s best performance in the tournament came in 2002 when it reached the quarterfinals.
Managed by Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT is captained by defender Tim Ream and features Christian Pulisic as its key player.
Here’s what to know about the USMNT’s 2026 World Cup group and schedule:
USA World Cup group 2026
2026 World Cup Group D
United States of America
Paraguay
Australia
UEFA Playoff C winner – Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo or Romania.
USA World Cup schedule
June 12: USA vs. Paraguay – SoFI Stadium, Inglewood, California
June 19: USA vs. Australia – Lumen Field, Seattle
June 25: USA vs. UEFA Playoff C winner – SoFI Stadium
2026 World Cup schedule
Group stage: June 11-June 27
Round of 32: June 28-July 3
Round of 16: July 4-July 7
Quarterfinals: July 9-July 11
Semifinals: July 14-15 – AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas) and Mecedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Third-place match: July 18 – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
World Cup final: July 19 – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
