Group D Adventures: Home Team Dreams and Global Rivalries

Group D Preview: USA, Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye

The script introduces Group D teams—United States, Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye—and previews their World Cup storylines and schedules. The United States, a host nation, is nicknamed the Stars and Stripes, coached by Mauricio Pochettino, and led by star Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), with forwards Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi; they open vs Paraguay near Los Angeles, then play Australia in Seattle and Türkiye near Los Angeles. Paraguay, Los Guaraníes, is highlighted for a “locked door” defense under coach Gustavo Alfaro, captained by Gustavo Gómez, and featuring Miguel Almirón; they play the USA near Los Angeles, then Türkiye and Australia in the San Francisco Bay Area. Australia’s Socceroos, coached by Tony Popovic, feature Mohamed Toure, Jackson Irvine, and Alessandro Circati. Türkiye’s Crescent-Stars return to the World Cup, recalling 2002 third place, led by Arda Güler, Kenan Yıldız, and Hakan Çalhanoğlu.