World Cup success requires both talent and luck. It appears the USMNT has luck on its side with one of the most favorable draws for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. With Mauricio Pochettino looking on during Friday's draw, the Americans were drawn into a group with Paraguay, Australia, and a still-to-be-determined European side.

The draw for UEFA's World Cup qualification playoffs is set for Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 a.m. ET. UEFA's World Cup qualifying playoffs will be contested on March 26 (semifinals) and March 31 (finals). Twelve European countries have already clinched a spot in the 2026 World Cup:

Here is a complete guide Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where co-hosts USA will begin their tournament journey.

U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino will take nothing for granted but with none of those nations ranked in the top 20 by FIFA it would be a major disappointment if his team failed to advance as one of the top two in Group D or via the safety net as a best-performing third-place qualifier.

Co-host nation Mexico is the highest-ranked team in its group, but only by seven spots, as South Korea is ranked 22nd in the world by FIFA. That gap could get even smaller if Denmark, the 21st-ranked team in the world, wins its playoff matches and rounds out Group A.