Mauricio Pochettino learned his first ever World Cup group opponents as a coach on Friday when the World Cup draw takes center stage in Washington, D.C. and he will be very happy with it.

The USMNT will play Australia and Paraguay in Group D, as well as third opponent from Europe that will be determined in March

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D odds list the Americans as heavy favorites to win their group and advance to the Round of 32.

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino says he is aiming to return to and win the Premier League. Pochettino, 53, has been in charge of the U.S. since November 2024 and previously coached Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the English top flight.

First, it’s an opening game against Erling Haaland's Norway, which won every qualifier on their way to the World Cup. After that, it’s the winner of Bolivia, Iraq or Suriname, ending with a game against Senegal, a country so deeply connected to the French, who also did well in qualifiers.

And the requirement of a European team in each group denied the U.S. the chance to have beloved minnow Cape Verde in its group. The U.S. avoided some of the European teams looming as potential threats; Italy, Denmark, and Ukraine would head elsewhere.

The groups for the 2026 World Cup have been announced. Here's where team USA is placed and their opponents for next summer.

The 2026 World Cup draw is official. And here in Arlington, Virginia at Ireland’s Four Courts pub, soccer fans felt every moment.