Following the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington D.C. on Friday, the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) has learned its group stage opponents for the tournament they will co-host with Mexico and Canada. Christian Pulisic, the USMNT's key player and captain, emphasized that the team isn't underestimating any of their upcoming rivals.
The USMNT, as a top seed in Group D, is set to face Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of the UEFA playoff Path C, which will be either Turkey, Romania, Kosovo, or Slovakia. The Americans will kick off their World Cup campaign on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, against Paraguay. They will then travel to Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, to face Australia on June 19 before returning to SoFi Stadium on June 25 for their final group stage match against the UEFA playoff winner.
Pulisic, who is seen as the leader capable of turning ambition into history for the USMNT, acknowledged the significance of the draw but stressed the importance of focusing on their own preparation. "It's an exciting moment to see who we'll be up against, but it doesn't change our approach," Pulisic stated. "We know that in a World Cup, every team is there to compete, and we have to be at our best in every single game. We are not taking anyone lightly."
The USMNT has recent experience against two of their group opponents, having played friendlies against both Australia and Paraguay in November, winning both matches. They defeated Paraguay 2-1 on November 15 and Australia with a similar scoreline. They also played Turkey in a pre-Gold Cup friendly in June, losing 2-1. Pulisic is currently tied with Bruce Murray for seventh on the USMNT's all-time scoring chart with 21 career goals.
The draw has been viewed favorably by many, with some considering it a dream scenario for the USMNT. However, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has cautioned against complacency, emphasizing the need to treat every match like a final. The USMNT finished 2025 on a three-match winning streak.
Looking ahead, if the USMNT wins Group D, they will face a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J in the Round of 32. Potential opponents could include Canada, Qatar, Switzerland, Italy (from Group B), Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador (from Group E), or other teams from the remaining groups.
With the World Cup being held on home soil, expectations are high for the USMNT. Pulisic's leadership and performance will be crucial to the team's success as they aim to surpass their best-ever World Cup finish from 1930. Former USMNT star Alexi Lalas believes Pulisic can become the greatest male American soccer player of all time if he delivers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
