Group D of the World Cup features teams with uncertain fortunes, some strengths but also some notable weaknesses. Who will go through to the knockouts?
USA
The hosts enter Group D having qualified automatically as co-hosts, pleasant news for them given that they have struggled with qualification in the past, missing Russia 2018 most recently. But a positive performance in Qatar under coach Gregg Berhalter restored hope to a budding footballing nation by reaching the knockout phase before losing to the Netherlands.
Now the project belongs to Mauricio Pochettino. His arrival in September 2024 was viewed as one of the most ambitious appointments in USA’s history, given his time at the clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain. Yet the transition has not been seamless and the tactical shape is still evolving.
Currently, USA look to play a system that brings out the best of full-backs such as Antonee Robinson and Sergino Dest but everything still revolves around Christian Pulisic. The AC Milan forward remains the USA player most capable of changing games. He has operated both wide and centrally and if USA are to go farther than the first knockout rounds of the tournament, his form is likely to be the biggest reason why.
Paraguay
Paraguay arrive at their first World Cup in 16 years after an excellent qualification campaign in South America, where they finished level on points with Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia and conceded fewer goals than every side except Ecuador.
Their transformation under coach Gustavo Alfaro has been striking. Paraguay had exited the 2024 Copa America without a point and with confidence badly damaged but since Alfaro’s appointment, they have only lost four out of 18 games, winning eight and drawing six. It has restored belief around the national side.
Paraguay look to defend deep, absorb pressure and then hit back on the counterattack. Victories over Argentina and Brazil in the qualifying matches were managed using the same approach. They may not be world beaters, but they have the capacity to hurt teams.
Their best forward player is arguably former Brighton and current Strasbourg attacking midfielder Julio Enciso. Sunderland’s Omar Alderete is a force in defence, as is Palmeiras’ Gustavo Gomez. Paraguay may not dominate matches in Group D but they appear well equipped to make other teams uncomfortable.
Australia
Australia struggled the qualifiers with defeat to Bahrain and a draw in Indonesia prompting the resignation of Graham Arnold. But Tony Popovic arrived to stabilise results and guide the Socceroos to automatic qualification.
This will be Australia’s sixth consecutive World Cup since joining the Asian confederation and their seventh overall. Their modern history at the tournament has been mixed, but they have only reached the last 16 twice in 2006 and 2022 before narrow defeats to eventual champions Italy and Argentina respectively.
Australia tend to play in a compact defensive shape with three centre-backs in a five-man defensive line, preferring to hit on the counterattack if possible rather than attack on the front foot. There is a lack of notable names, but collectively they can stay disciplined and pose some threats on the break.
This summer the target is likely to be reaching the knockout stages once again. Any further progress beyond that would require greater attacking conviction than they have shown over the past two years and certainly during the qualifiers.
Turkey
The European contingent in this group, Turkey returns to the World Cup after a 24-year absence that is striking given the talent that has passed through the national side since their third-place finish in 2002. Qualification in Europe was tough, ultimately coming through the play-offs after finishing behind Spain, with victories over Romania and Kosovo securing passage.
Turkey has in fact impressed in their last major tournament, Euro 2024 under Vincenzo Montella, where they made a run to the quarter-finals before losing to the Netherlands. Montella generally deploys a 4-2-3-1 with some degree of defensive organisation as well as some possession. They are capable of controlling matches if they can but their strength in that department is minimal, often having to grind through long periods of each game.
The heartbeat of the team is Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu, who helps to dictate rhythm at the centre of the park. However, there is also bright talent in Real Madrid’s Arda Guler and Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz, both of whom are young players to watch in the tournament.
Turkey are arguably the side with the strongest technical ability in Group D and will be aiming to win it, but they could have both USA and Paraguay as strong contenders.
