2026 World Cup Draw: USMNT to Face Paraguay, Australia in Group Stage

washington, usa - The United States men's national team will compete against Paraguay, Australia, and a UEFA playoff winner in the 2026 World Cup group stage draw, held at the Kennedy Center.

2026 World Cup Draw Results Unveiled

The United States men's national team has learned their group stage opponents for the 2026 World Cup, revealing matchups against Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of a UEFA playoff.

Group Stage Details

The draw, held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, saw the U.S. placed in Group D, with the opening game against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 12. Following this, the U.S. will face Australia in Seattle on June 19 and the UEFA playoff winner back at Sofi Stadium on June 25.

Co-Hosts and Favorable Draw

As co-hosts, the U.S. team was seeded in Pot 1, avoiding top seeds like Spain, Argentina, and France. The draw included a record 64 nations, with the top two in each group advancing to the knockout round.

The tournament will feature 48 teams, with the U.S. aiming to replicate past successes in the World Cup, having reached the semifinals in 1930 and the quarterfinals in 2002.

Key Matchups and Tournament Highlights

Defending champion Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, faces Algeria in the opening game. France will take on Senegal, while Germany could meet France in the round of 16. Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland are grouped together, and Spain faces Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay.

Retired sports stars, including Tom Brady and Shaquille O'Neal, participated in the draw, with the match schedule set to be announced at a live event to accommodate varying weather conditions and time zones.