Still, the USMNT is facing a much smoother road to the knockout rounds than, say, England or France. England has 2018 runner-up Croatia, USMNT World Cup nemesis Ghana and Panama in its Group L while France has 2022 African champion Senegal, Erling Haaland and Norway and the winner of an intercontinental playoff.

The United States men’s national team learned its fate for the 2026 World Cup as the first 48-team World Cup was drawn in Washington, D.C.

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

United States men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino said his objective over the next six months is to continue to improve the squad and "show full respect" for its World Cup group stage opponents.

The United States is gearing up for what could potentially be its most important soccer tournament in the nation's history.

Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros give their live reaction to the World Cup Draw. The boys break down the USMNT’s group, assess the tournament’s main contenders, and weigh in on who is primed for a deep run.

Having automatically qualified as a host nation, the U.S. was helpfully put in Pot 1 of the draw, meaning that it will avoid most of the big-name soccer nations of Europe and South America that are quadrennial threats to hoist the trophy.

The draw for the biggest World Cup in history was probably the cringiest as the two-hour event didn't feature much soccer.

Former USMNT captain Carlos Bocanegra spoke to Athlon Sports following the 2026 World Cup draw: "It’s definitely a group that the U.S. should advance out of.”

U.S. Soccer has confirmed the U.S. men's national team's final four opponents ahead of next summer's World Cup