The United States plays Paraguay on June 12, Australia on June 19, and Türkiye on June 25 in Group D of the 2026 World Cup. Two matches are scheduled in Los Angeles and one in Seattle, with all three shown by FOX in English.
This guide covers confirmed kickoff times, venues, viewing options, Group D opponents, advancement rules, roster context, and practical planning information for every USMNT group match.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Three Group D matches: The United States faces Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye between June 12 and June 25.
- Two Los Angeles matches: The Paraguay opener and Türkiye finale are scheduled at Los Angeles Stadium.
- One Seattle match: The United States meets Australia at Seattle Stadium on June 19.
- FOX coverage: All three USMNT group fixtures are scheduled on FOX in English.
- Multiple advancement routes: The United States can qualify by finishing in the top two or as one of the eight best third place teams.
USA World Cup 2026 Schedule
The complete USA soccer schedule for World Cup 2026 contains three Group D matches across a fourteen day period. Every listed time below uses United States Eastern Time and Pacific Time.
| Match | Date | Kickoff | Venue | English Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA vs. Paraguay | Friday, June 12, 2026 | 9:00 PM ET 6:00 PM PT |
Los Angeles Stadium Los Angeles, California |
FOX and Tubi |
| USA vs. Australia | Friday, June 19, 2026 | 3:00 PM ET 12:00 PM PT |
Seattle Stadium Seattle, Washington |
FOX and FOX One |
| USA vs. Türkiye | Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 10:00 PM ET 7:00 PM PT |
Los Angeles Stadium Los Angeles, California |
FOX and FOX One |
Telemundo and Peacock are listed by U.S. Soccer for Spanish coverage of United States fixtures. Broadcast access can depend on location, television provider, streaming subscription, and later programming changes.
USA Group D Match Breakdown
USA vs. Paraguay
The United States opens against Paraguay at 9:00 PM ET on June 12 in Los Angeles. The match is the first USMNT World Cup appearance on home soil since the 1994 Round of 16.
- Historical record: U.S. Soccer listed the United States with five wins, two draws, and two losses against Paraguay before the tournament.
- Previous meeting: The United States defeated Paraguay by two goals to one on November 15, 2025.
- Schedule significance: Three opening points would reduce the pressure surrounding the later matches against Australia and Türkiye.
USA vs. Australia
The second United States match begins at 3:00 PM ET on June 19 in Seattle. Australia reached the Round of 16 at the 2022 tournament and entered Group D with recent knockout stage experience.
- Historical record: U.S. Soccer listed two United States wins, one draw, and one Australia win before the tournament.
- Previous meeting: The United States recorded a two goals to one victory in October 2024.
- Schedule significance: Results from the opening round will determine whether this match becomes a direct contest for an automatic qualification position.
USA vs. Türkiye
The Group D finale begins at 10:00 PM ET on June 25 in Los Angeles. Türkiye finished third at the 2002 tournament and returned to the competition after qualifying in March 2026.
- Historical record: U.S. Soccer listed five United States wins, four Türkiye wins, and one draw before the tournament.
- Previous meeting: Türkiye defeated the United States by two goals to one in June 2025.
- Schedule significance: The final match can decide first place, second place, third place qualification, or elimination.
Group D Opponents and Advancement Rules
Group D contains the United States, Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye. Readers can compare the group with the complete list of 2026 World Cup qualified teams.
How Group D Points Work
Each team receives three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. Every nation plays the other three members of the group once.
Automatic Qualification
The first and second place teams in Group D advance directly to the Round of 32. Finishing in either position removes the need to compare the United States with third place teams from other groups.
Third Place Qualification
A third place finish does not automatically eliminate the United States because eight of the twelve third place teams advance. The comparison begins with total points earned during the three group matches.
Third Place Ranking Criteria
The ranking process uses a defined sequence when multiple third place teams need to be compared. The criteria continue until the teams can be separated.
- Total points: The team with more group stage points ranks higher.
- Goal difference: Goals conceded are subtracted from goals scored.
- Goals scored: The team with more group goals receives the higher position.
- Team conduct score: Yellow and red cards issued to players and team officials are considered.
- World ranking: The applicable FIFA ranking separates teams that remain equal.
Extra Time and Penalty Shootouts
Group matches end after regulation time and a level score produces one point for each team. Extra time and penalty shootouts apply only after the competition reaches the knockout rounds.
How to Watch the USA Matches
FOX is scheduled to show all three United States group matches in English. The opener is also listed on Tubi, while FOX One is listed for the Australia and Türkiye fixtures.
Spanish Coverage
U.S. Soccer lists Telemundo and Peacock as Spanish language viewing options for United States matches. Viewers should confirm the current program listing before kickoff because distribution details can change.
Radio and Live Updates
Fútbol de Primera provides Spanish radio coverage for selected United States matches. Official U.S. Soccer match hubs provide lineup announcements, live scores, substitutions, and match information.
Viewing Checklist
Confirm the local kickoff time and platform access before matchday. A subscription, television login, or supported device may be required for some services.
- Check whether the listed kickoff uses Eastern Time or Pacific Time.
- Confirm whether the match is on FOX, FOX One, or Tubi.
- Review Telemundo and Peacock for current Spanish coverage.
- Open the selected platform before kickoff to complete any login steps.
- Use an official match hub for late schedule or lineup changes.
Travel, Recovery, and Schedule Demands
The United States receives seven days between its first and second matches, followed by six days before the Group D finale. Both host cities use Pacific Time, which removes a time zone change but does not eliminate the physical demands of travel and competition.
- Travel fatigue: Athlete travel can affect sleep, perceived fatigue, recovery, and readiness even when evidence for specific interventions remains limited.[1]
- Sleep quality: Research involving soccer players suggests poor sleep may affect performance and injury risk, although findings across studies are not fully consistent.[2]
- Match fatigue: Physical fatigue can influence technical, tactical, cognitive, and physical soccer performance, making recovery management relevant during compressed competitions.[3]
- Training context: Readers can explore a structured football workout plan and evidence informed strength exercises for soccer players.
- Conditioning context: The soccer conditioning drills guide explains how players can develop repeat sprint capacity and match fitness outside tournament reporting.
These scientific findings provide general context and do not predict a result for any specific match. Team selection, tactics, opponent quality, injuries, weather, and match events remain important variables.
USMNT Roster Context
U.S. Soccer reported that all 26 selected players were available for the Paraguay opener as of June 11, 2026. The complete position by position list appears in the USMNT 2026 roster guide.
Goalkeepers
Chris Brady, Matt Freese, and Matt Turner form the goalkeeper group. Final selection for each match remains a coaching decision.
Defensive Options
The defender group includes Sergiño Dest, Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty, Max Arfsten, and Alex Freeman. Chris Richards was declared available for selection before the opening match.
Midfield Options
Tyler Adams, Sebastian Berhalter, Weston McKennie, Gio Reyna, Cristian Roldan, and Malik Tillman provide the central midfield group. Their roles can vary according to opponent, possession plan, and game state.
Attacking Options
Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah, Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright, Brenden Aaronson, and Alejandro Zendejas are among the attacking choices. Availability does not confirm a starting place or guarantee playing time.
Practical Planning for Viewers and Attendees
Viewers should verify kickoff times and broadcast listings on the day of each match. Stadium attendees should rely on their ticket provider and venue instructions rather than information from unrelated events.
- Confirm the date: Late evening matches can appear on the following calendar day in other countries.
- Check the time zone: The article lists Eastern Time and Pacific Time for every United States fixture.
- Verify the venue: Tournament stadium names can differ from names used during domestic club seasons.
- Review entry rules: Digital tickets, security screening, bag restrictions, and transport guidance can change by venue.
- Monitor official updates: Use U.S. Soccer, FIFA, FOX Sports, Telemundo, or Peacock for current information.
Fans interested in developing their own technique can review beginner soccer drills, a guide to improving soccer passing, and a safety focused explanation of how to head a soccer ball.
Official Source Notes
The schedule, opponents, advancement format, and roster availability were checked against current U.S. Soccer and FIFA information. Broadcast information was checked against U.S. Soccer and FOX Sports listings available on June 12, 2026.
FAQs
When does the USA play in World Cup 2026?
The United States plays Paraguay on June 12, Australia on June 19, and Türkiye on June 25. The first and third matches are scheduled in Los Angeles, while the second match is in Seattle, with every kickoff listed in Eastern Time and Pacific Time.
What channel shows the USA World Cup 2026 matches?
FOX carries all three United States group matches in English, with FOX One listed for the second and third fixtures. The opener is also available on Tubi, while Telemundo and Peacock provide Spanish coverage according to the current United States listings.
Which teams are in the USA World Cup 2026 group?
The United States is in Group D with Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye. Each nation plays three group matches, with points determining the standings first, followed when needed by goal difference, goals scored, conduct score, and the applicable world ranking after all fixtures are complete.
How can the USA advance to the Round of 32?
The United States advances automatically by finishing first or second in Group D. A third place finish can also qualify because eight of the tournament's twelve third place teams move forward, with points, goal difference, goals scored, conduct score, and ranking used to separate them.
Where are the USA World Cup 2026 group matches played?
Two United States group matches are scheduled at Los Angeles Stadium, against Paraguay and Türkiye. The Australia match is scheduled at Seattle Stadium, so supporters attending in person should verify the venue name, ticket details, transport plan, and entry rules before traveling.
Is the full USMNT roster available for the Paraguay opener?
Yes. U.S. Soccer reported on June 11, 2026 that all 26 selected players were available for the opening match against Paraguay, including defender Chris Richards, for selection by head coach Mauricio Pochettino, although availability does not guarantee that any player will start or appear.
Will USA group matches use extra time or penalty shootouts?
No. Group stage matches finish after regulation time, and a level score produces one point for each team. Extra time and penalty shootouts begin only in the knockout stage, where a winner must be determined before the tournament can continue.
Conclusion
The United States begins its Group D schedule against Paraguay before facing Australia and Türkiye, with two matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. Fans should confirm current kickoff times, channels, team news, and venue guidance through official sources before every fixture.
Disclaimer
This article is an independent editorial resource provided for informational purposes. RitFit is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or an official partner of FIFA, the FIFA World Cup, U.S. Soccer, participating teams, tournament organizers, venues, or broadcasters. All third party names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.
References
- Janse van Rensburg DC, Jansen van Rensburg A, Fowler PM, et al. Managing travel fatigue and jet lag in athletes: a review and consensus statement. Sports Med. 2021;51(10):2029-2050. doi:10.1007/s40279-021-01502-0. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8279034/
- Clemente FM, Afonso J, Costa J, Oliveira R, Pino-Ortega J, Rico-González M. Relationships between sleep, athletic and match performance, training load, and injuries: a systematic review of soccer players. Healthcare. 2021;9(7):808. doi:10.3390/healthcare9070808. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8305909/
- Dambroz F, Clemente FM, Teoldo I. The effect of physical fatigue on the performance of soccer players: a systematic review. PLoS One. 2022;17(7):e0270099. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0270099. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9282585/
