With Matchday 2 of the 2026 World Cup now underway, Mark Lynch runs us through four key questions that will be answered over the next 24 hours of Group D football.
Group D probably brought us two surprise results on Matchday One. One for the size of victory and the other probably for the team that won. Let’s have a look first at how things stand.
As it Stands:
D1 Currently: USA Pts 3 (Goal Difference +3) Projected Last 32 Opponent: Bosnia and Herzegovina (July the 2nd)
D2 Currently: Australia Pts 3 (Goal Difference +2) Projected Last 32 Opponent Iran (July 3rd)
D3 Currently: Turkey Pts 0 (Goal Difference -2) Projected Last 32 Opponent: None as Currently do not qualify
D4 Currently Paraguay Pts 0 ( Goal Difference -3)
Questions for each of the 4 teams
USA: Will we need to see a plan B from Pochettinos side against Australia?
While most people fancied the US to sneak past Paraguay last week I don’t think many would have predicted the three Goal winning margin that we saw in the game. The US were sharp and focused and played a fast moving and high intensity game against Paraguay who with a number of elder statesman in the team were unable to match the energy of their opponents.
Well guess what this week nome of that will stand them in good stead as they come up against a young and hungary Australian team who just might have a bit of a score to settle. Australia really impressed me last week. Their ability to break at speed and accuracy in taking their chances might just stand them in good stead this week. Oh and they have a bit of a score to settle. (More on that later). You’d wonder whether we will see what other tricks Pochettino has to bring to bear with this US team and they might just need it to ensure victory!
Paraguay: Can their defence recover from last week to stop Turkey?
For a team that is normally associated with its excellent defences, last weeks game must have come as quite the shock to the outside world and indeed the people of Paraguay as well as their defence was torn asunder by a rampant and dangerous US attack.
This week’s opponents will give them more of a chance. The chief criticism of this Turkish team pre World Cup was their lack of a striker. That showed last week although their midfield did create a few openings and it will be closing down shots at the edge of the area that might be the most pressing concern for Paraguay tonight. You’d imagine their defence won’t be as bad again and it will be key if Paraguay are to get things back on track.
Australia: Is revenge a dish best served cold for the Aussies?
One of the most played clips in the football World last December had nothing whatsoever to do with matters on the pitch. The US host broadcaster Fox did a live show during the World Cup where there was an almost boisterous response on the news they had drawn Australia. Social media has a long memory and I wonder how many times the Australian team were shown that clip in the past week. They have a game that can hurt the Americans with the speed of their front two more than capable if creating havoc with the US backline but can they do it? We shall see.
Turkey: Are Turkey the New Russia in global footballing terms?
There was a time where the perception was that every major Tournament Russia went into they were perceived as dark horses but failed miserably to even get out of Group stages. 2008 being the exception rather than the rule. It feels a little bit like Turkey have taken up this mantle and a loss to tonight to Paraguay might make 2002 the exception to the rule for Turkey. They have a creative midfield, they just need to find somebody clinical enough to tuck the chances away. We shall see tonight!
