The United States Men’s National Team has started the 2026 World Cup on home soil in emphatic fashion. Two wins from two matches, six goals scored, two conceded, and already qualified for the Round of 32 before the final group game. The USA goes into the June 25 match against Turkey in Group D as group leaders and with a chance to set up a favorable Round of 32 bracket position.
Here is the complete USMNT guide: all group stage results with match reports, the final group game details, the full knockout path to the Final, roster highlights, and how to watch every remaining USA match.
USMNT World Cup 2026 Group Stage Results and Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Result |
| June 12 | USA vs Paraguay | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | 4-1 W |
| June 19 | USA vs Australia | Lumen Field, Seattle | 2-0 W |
| June 25 | USA vs Turkey | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles | TBD |
USA 4-1 Paraguay: Match Report (June 12)
The United States opened their home World Cup with a dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The crowd of approximately 70,000 — overwhelmingly American — created one of the loudest atmospheres in US soccer history. Goals came from Folarin Balogun and Gio Reyna in what ESPN described as a statement performance.
Paraguay had goalkeeper Antony Silva to thank for keeping the score respectable — he made 8 saves against a relentless USA attack. Captain Tim Ream led a backline that conceded just once, a consolation late in the second half, while the midfield controlled possession at will.
The 4-1 scoreline was the USA’s largest World Cup group stage win since the 1930 inaugural tournament. Coach Mauricio Pochettino’s side showed the tactical confidence and forward pressing that his appointment was designed to introduce — the team bore little resemblance to the cautious, defensive-minded USA teams of the 2014-2022 era.
USA 2-0 Australia: Match Report (June 19)
The USA’s second group game at Lumen Field in Seattle confirmed their place in the Round of 32 with a controlled 2-0 win over Australia. An Australian own goal put the USA ahead before Alex Freeman headed home a second to seal the victory. Tyler Adams was rated highly by multiple outlets for his midfield performance.
The result was more measured than the Paraguay opener — Australia proved a tougher defensive test and limited the USA’s attacking opportunities in the second half. But two clean-sheet wins from two group stage matches represents an ideal start for a host nation with home crowd advantage. Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte — who holds an economics degree from Harvard — kept his second clean sheet.
Notable: Christian Pulisic, the USA’s most experienced and creative attacking player (AC Milan), missed the Australia match with an injury. His availability for the Turkey match and the knockout rounds is the biggest question mark over the USA’s campaign.
USA vs Turkey: June 25 — Group Stage Finale
The USMNT’s final group game is against Turkey at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 25 at 10:00 PM Eastern Time. Turkey finished second in qualifying for this World Cup and features talented players including Arda Güler (Real Madrid) and Kenan Yıldız (Juventus) — both dangerous in attacking positions.
Stakes for the USA: winning Group D is the priority. The group winner gets a more favorable Round of 32 matchup and potentially avoids the stronger side of the bracket for longer. A draw or narrow defeat could still leave the USA as group winners if other results align. A heavy defeat could drop the USA to third place — still advancing as one of the 8 best third-place teams, but potentially facing a tougher R32 opponent.
Pulisic’s return from injury is the key team news heading into the Turkey match. If he is fit and starts, the USA’s attacking options are significantly stronger.
Group D Standings After Matchday 2
| Team | P | W | D | L | Points |
| USA | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Australia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Paraguay | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Turkey | 2 (MD2 ongoing) | — | — | — | TBD |
Note: Group D standings after matchday 2 include Turkey’s matchday 2 result which was not yet confirmed at the time of writing.
USA’s Potential Knockout Path to the Final
| Stage | Date | Venue |
| Round of 32 | July 1 | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara CA |
| Round of 16 | July 4-7 | TBD (major US venue) |
| Quarterfinal | July 9-11 | TBD |
| Semifinal | July 14-15 | AT&T Stadium TX or Mercedes-Benz Stadium ATL |
| FINAL | July 19 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford NJ |
The USA’s Round of 32 opponent is pre-determined by the December 2025 bracket draw and depends on whether the USA finish as Group D winners or runners-up. As group winners, they face a specific third-place team; as runners-up, they face a specific group winner. Either way, the R32 match is July 1 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
The Independence Day weekend (July 4-6) coincides with the Round of 16 — if the USA advances, a potential Round of 16 match on July 4 would be the most watched sporting event in US history. The optics of the American national team playing a World Cup knockout match on Independence Day at home have not been lost on NBC, FOX, or the US Soccer Federation.
USMNT 2026 World Cup Roster Highlights
The USA squad under coach Mauricio Pochettino (appointed 2024) combines experienced World Cup veterans with young talent reaching their peak years simultaneously — something US Soccer has been building toward since the 2014 World Cup cycle:
| Player | Club | Role / Status |
| Christian Pulisic | AC Milan | Captain; creative focal point; injury doubt |
| Gio Reyna | Borussia Dortmund | Scored vs Paraguay; fulfilling WC potential |
| Folarin Balogun | Monaco | Scored vs Paraguay; in-form striker |
| Tyler Adams | Bournemouth | Midfield engine; highly rated vs Australia |
| Malik Tillman | PSV Eindhoven | Creative midfielder; rated vs Australia |
| Alex Freeman | — | Headed home vs Australia; emerging hero |
| Tim Ream | — | Team captain; commanding center back |
| Patrick Schulte | — | Goalkeeper; Harvard economics grad; 2 clean sheets |
The USA’s squad has the deepest talent pool in USMNT history at multiple positions. The most notable generational change from the 2022 World Cup cycle is in the striker position — Folarin Balogun (born 2001) and Alex Freeman represent a significant upgrade over the USMNT’s traditional center-forward options. The midfield unit around Tyler Adams gives the team a defensive structure that allows the attacking players to express themselves.
USA’s World Cup History
The USA has the following World Cup record in the modern tournament era:
| Year | Result | Notable |
| 1930 | 3rd place | Best ever finish; beat Belgium 3-0 and Paraguay 3-0 |
| 1950 | Group stage (1-2) | Infamous 1-0 win over England (500/1 underdogs) |
| 1990 | Group stage | First WC appearance since 1950 |
| 1994 | Round of 16 | Hosts; lost to Brazil 1-0 |
| 1998 | Group stage | 0W-3L |
| 2002 | Quarterfinals | Best modern result; lost to Germany 1-0 |
| 2006 | Group stage | 0W-3L |
| 2010 | Round of 16 | Landon Donovan’s extra-time goal vs Algeria |
| 2014 | Round of 16 | Lost to Belgium in AET |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Failed to qualify for first time since 1986 |
| 2022 | Round of 16 | Lost to Netherlands 3-1 |
| 2026 | TBD — ongoing | Home tournament; best chance in decades |
Where to Watch USMNT World Cup 2026 Games
| Platform | Details |
| FOX (TV) | Primary English-language broadcaster; all USA matches air on FOX |
| FS1 (TV) | Secondary channel for selected group stage matches |
| Fox One (streaming) | $19.99/month; all 104 matches; 3-day free trial |
| Telemundo (TV) | Spanish-language; all 104 WC matches |
| Peacock (streaming) | $10.99/month; all Telemundo coverage |
| YouTube TV | $64.99/month; includes FOX and FS1; 21-day free trial |
| Fubo | $45.99/month first month; includes FOX and FS1 |
| Sling TV (Blue) | $45.99/month; includes FOX and FS1 in select markets |
Need the full World Cup 2026 schedule including all 104 matches? See our guide to World Cup 2026 key dates — every stage from the June 11 opener to the July 19 Final.
Want to understand how the new Round of 32 bracket works? See our guide to World Cup 2026 bracket and knockout format — Round of 32 explained.
Follow live USMNT scores, analysis, and knockout path updates at ESPN’s USMNT World Cup 2026 hub — updated in real time after every match.
Bottom Line
| Group stage result 1 | USA 4-1 Paraguay (June 12, SoFi Stadium LA) |
| Group stage result 2 | USA 2-0 Australia (June 19, Lumen Field Seattle) |
| Group stage match 3 | USA vs Turkey (June 25, SoFi Stadium LA, 10pm ET) |
| Already qualified? | Yes — through to Round of 32 |
| R32 match | July 1, Levi’s Stadium Santa Clara CA |
| Pulisic status | Injury doubt — missed Australia match |
| TV (English) | FOX — all USA matches |
| Streaming | Fox One ($19.99/month); YouTube TV 21-day free trial |
| USA’s best WC finish | 3rd (1930); best modern finish: QF (2002) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the USMNT World Cup 2026 results so far?
The USA has won both group stage matches. They beat Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 12 (goals from Folarin Balogun and Gio Reyna among others) and Australia 2-0 at Lumen Field in Seattle on June 19 (own goal plus Alex Freeman header). The USA is already qualified for the Round of 32 before their final group game against Turkey on June 25.
When does the USA play Turkey at World Cup 2026?
USA plays Turkey on June 25, 2026 at 10:00 PM Eastern Time at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The match determines who wins Group D — the USA go in as group leaders with 6 points from 2 matches. Turkey must win to have any hope of topping the group. Winning Group D gives the USA a potentially more favorable Round of 32 draw.
Where can I watch USA World Cup 2026 games?
All USA World Cup games air on FOX in English and Telemundo in Spanish. Streaming options include Fox One ($19.99/month, all 104 matches, 3-day free trial), YouTube TV ($64.99/month, 21-day free trial), Fubo ($45.99 first month), and Sling TV Blue ($45.99/month). Fox One is the most straightforward single-subscription option for USA fans.
Who scored for USA at World Cup 2026?
Folarin Balogun (Monaco) and Gio Reyna (Borussia Dortmund) scored in the 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12. Against Australia on June 19, an Australian own goal and a header from Alex Freeman gave the USA a 2-0 win. Christian Pulisic (AC Milan, captain) missed the Australia match with injury.
Has the USA won the World Cup?
No — the USA has never won the FIFA World Cup. Their best finish was third place in 1930 at the inaugural tournament in Uruguay. Their best finish in the modern 32-team era was the quarterfinals in 2002 (South Korea/Japan), where they lost 1-0 to Germany. The 2026 home tournament is considered the USA’s best chance in decades — particularly with the host nation advantage and the strongest squad in USMNT history.