The USA locked up first place in Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday, moving to 2-0-0 after a 2-0 win over Australia and taking control of the Group I standings picture. The result sent the USA into the round of 32 and left Australia and Paraguay to settle second place in the final group match.
USA Take Group D
The USA became the second nation to secure a spot in the round of 32, and the path was simple once the 2-0 result landed. Paraguay’s 1-0 win over Türkiye on Friday night finished the job by giving the USA the group lead outright.
That put the USA out in front of Group D before the final match day, with 2-0-0 showing on its record. It was the first time since 2010 that the USA won its group at the World Cup, and this time the margin came with no need for a final-day scramble.
Australia and Paraguay Race
Australia and Paraguay are now the teams still fighting for second place. Their finish will decide who joins the USA in the knockout round, while the other side has to rely on the broader third-place path.
That third-place route matters across the tournament because the top eight third-place teams now qualify. Goal difference and head-to-head results are the tools shaping the table, and those rules are already pushing some groups toward early decisions.
Belgium, Iran, Egypt
The same pattern is showing elsewhere. Belgium and Iran have two points, but Egypt is in control after its win over New Zealand, and Belgium will need a win over New Zealand on the final match day to feel comfortable about its chances of advancing to the round of 32.
Other groups are tightening too. Germany won its group and advanced to the Round of 32 after Denis Undav scored twice against the Ivory Coast, including a stoppage-time winner, while Spain sits atop its group after a 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia, helped by Lamine Yamal’s first World Cup goal and Mikel Oyarzabal’s two goals and assist. For Group D, the next issue is narrower: which of Australia or Paraguay takes second, and which side is left to wait on the third-place rankings.
