USMNT Lands in 4-Team Group D as 2026 World Cup Anxiety Shadows Pochettino Era

4 articles · Updated · The New Yorker · May 22

Group D put the United States with Paraguay, Australia and Turkey, with its three first-round matches set for June 12-25 in Inglewood and Seattle.
Mauricio Pochettino enters the home World Cup under pressure after replacing Gregg Berhalter 18 months before the tournament, following a Copa América flop and a scandal involving Gio Reyna and Berhalter’s family.
Recent form has deepened concern: the U.S. had a five-match run of four wins and one draw against qualified teams, but then suffered lopsided losses to Belgium and Portugal in its final preparatory camp.
The roster still offers upside through players such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams, though Pulisic is in a scoring drought and defender Chris Richards is racing back from ankle ligament damage.
Expectations are unusually high because the U.S. is favored to win its group and, as 1 of 3 hosts, is seen as carrying a broader mission to push soccer deeper into the American mainstream.

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