The group "hosting the host" is always closely watched. In the 2026 edition, there are going to be three. While Mexico are a mainstay and Canada are underdogs, it is still hard to place the USA in the realm of football, a.k.a. soccer. The team has a lot to prove as they take the field for their first game in Inglewood against Paraguay on June 13.
Joining the two American teams in Group D are Australia and Türkiye — two teams with ample FIFA World Cup experience. Here's a look at four players from each of these teams who could prove instrumental in guiding their respective sides beyond the group stage.
Group D: USA, Australia, Paraguay, Türkiye
Australia: Nestory Irankunda
The 20-year-old is known for his capability to fire long-rangers from outside the box, apart from his raw pace and tricky legs. Well known for his exploits during one-on-one situations, the Watford forward was born to Burundian parents in a Tanzanian refugee camp before reaching the shores of Adelaide.
Nestory Irankunda has made 14 senior appearances for the Socceroos, scoring five goals, including two in a 5-1 friendly win over fellow World Cup qualifiers, and providing an assist. A tally of 12 yellow cards and a red in an EFL campaign is unusual for an attacker — something that Tony Popovic will have to keep an eye on.
Irankunda often lights up the field with his MJ-inspired dance moves and athletic backflips upon finding the net.
Türkiye: Arda Güler
Real Madrid would have had another trophyless season, but Arda Güler was one of the bright spots that remained hard to overlook. His incredible season was crowned after he was named the Champions League’s Revelation of the Season.
Güler is only 21 and is set to become the next big thing in European football. He can operate on the wings and in midfield with ease, and he can deliver inch-perfect set-pieces. An ageing Hakan Çalhanoğlu has got a partner he can trust in Güler, who was famously labelled "an undisputed, elite, world-class talent" by Thierry Henry.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, Güler remained a fringe player alongside the Brazilian Endrick, but the senior gaffer deciding to move on means the youngster finally got to show the team his worth. Many consider Güler the torch-bearer of a generation of Middle Eastern talent set to take the football world by storm.
USA: Christian Pulisic
Pulisic has represented Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, and AC Milan. He has won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup, apart from many domestic silverware. The best part is, he is only 27.
The USMNT star has undeniably the most prolific profile; he is nicknamed 'Captain America' as Mauricio Pochettino's team depends on him to deliver. The winger, who can also operate as a CAM and an SS, has so far managed 33 goals and 22 assists from 85 outings for the national team. Pulisic had a good season with Milan in Italy — further sharpening his skill sets, including ball-carrying, dribbling, and chance creation. It is likely that Pulisic will be the US player whom every rival will look to mark at all times.
Paraguay: Julio Enciso
RC Strasbourg's attacking midfielder is rated among the finest players born in the country in the last 20 years. The 22-year-old former Ipswich and Brighton star can also operate on the left wing but is likely to be tasked with commanding the park for the side alongside Andrés Cubas and Damián Bobadilla. Gustavo Alfaro's structurally conservative, defensive-minded side is expected to lean on Enciso's long-range shooting capabilities if things don't go as planned. His creativity, dribbling, and acceleration skills could be key to Paraguay's hopes of advancing in the tournament.
