South American "dark horse"

HNN.VN - Similar to Group B, the gap between the teams in Group D, consisting of the USA, Paraguay, Turkey, and Australia, is considered quite balanced. However, this very balance creates unpredictability, as surprises at the World Cup often occur in evenly matched groups. In 2018 it was South Korea, in 2022 it was Japan, and at the 2026 World Cup, it could be Paraguay…

Báo Thừa Thiên Huế•03/06/2026

The US and Türkiye - Expectations and Pressures

Playing at home is both an advantage and a source of pressure for the US team. Photo: FIFA

Turkey is bringing a squad worth over 500 million Euros to the 2026 World Cup. Therefore, it's not an exaggeration to say their midfield, with Hakan Calhanoglu, Arda Guler, and Kenan Yildiz, is the best in Group D.

Under coach Vincenzo Montella, Türkiye has developed a balanced style of play that combines ball control with fast counter-attacks. The blend of youth and experience makes the team far more unpredictable than in previous World Cups.

At this point, Arda Guler is in his prime, while Calhanoglu remains the tactical mastermind, and the presence of Merih Demiral provides much-needed solidity in defense.

However, the last time this team participated in the biggest football event on the planet was almost a quarter of a century ago. This means their true strength on the big stage has not been fully tested. Nevertheless, with what they currently possess, Türkiye remains the strongest contender for the top spot in Group D.

As one of the three co-hosting nations, Mauricio Pochettino's team entered the tournament with high expectations from their fans. The advantages for the US, of course, include the "doping" from the home crowd and familiarity with the weather and pitch conditions, which could make a significant difference in crucial moments.

At the 2026 World Cup, the US will bring quite a few players currently playing in top European leagues, such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Giovanni Reyna, Antonee Robinson, and Folarin Balogun.

However, leading up to the tournament, debates surrounding captain Tim Ream's role, Chris Richards' injury status, and the pressure to surpass their Round of 16 finish at the 2022 World Cup placed considerable strain on the US team. If they overcome these challenges, the US is fully capable of competing for the top spot in the group with Turkey.

Paraguay and Australia are ready to "disrupt" the situation.

Coach Gustavo Alfaro has created a strong and resilient Paraguay national team. Photo: FIFA

Paraguay may not have an expensive squad, but they are a team that makes every opponent wary with their tenacious and pragmatic playing style, to the point of being frustrating for viewers.

Not only do they possess a tight defensive structure from every position, but Paraguay is also a team that doesn't shy away from physical contact, always resorting to "offensive" moves as if it were an instinct for most South American players to disrupt their opponents' rhythm. And at this point, counter-attacks from Miguel Almiron, Julio Enciso, or their ability to capitalize on set pieces will help them finish off their opponents.

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However, Paraguay lacks a top-class striker in their attack, and when they fall behind, they often struggle to impose their game. This makes their chances of competing for the top two spots in the group more difficult.

Under coach Tony Popovic, Australia remains committed to a pragmatic, disciplined style of play that emphasizes collective strength.

Australia's greatest weapons lie in their physicality, aerial ability, and set-piece situations. With players like Harry Souttar, every corner kick can become a scoring opportunity. In addition, the experience of goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and the all-around ability of Jackson Irvine will help the team avoid being completely outmatched by their group opponents.

However, the lack of players capable of creating breakthroughs in midfield, coupled with a playing style overly reliant on long balls and set pieces, makes Australia prone to deadlock when facing defenses of similar height and the ability to intercept from afar.

A surprise from Paraguay?

Based on the balance of power, current form, and advantages, Group D will most likely conclude with the following scenario: Türkiye and the USA will secure the two direct qualification spots for the knockout round. Paraguay can continue to harbor hopes by finishing third, while Australia will play the role of a formidable obstacle.

However, that's in theory. In another scenario, the two teams most likely to cause an upset would be Paraguay and the USA, but those would be two completely opposite situations.

Paraguay may not have many star players, but they possess weapons perfectly suited to cup competitions: pragmatism, tenacity, a solid defense, high fighting spirit, and sharp counter-attacking ability. And on a good day, they could easily cause the USA or Türkiye to drop points.

Meanwhile, the gap in strength and experience between the US and the other teams in the group is almost non-existent. The home advantage, coupled with high expectations, also creates immense pressure on Mauricio Pochettino's team. And if the US fails to beat Turkey in the second match, the "doping" from the stands could backfire, becoming a flood that crumbles the clay feet of the American giants.

World Cup 2026 Group D fixtures (Vietnam time)

Round 1:

8:00 AM (June 13): USA - Paraguay

11:00 AM (June 14th): Australia vs. Türkiye

Round 2: