United States Tops 2026 World Cup Group D After Two Wins and Earlier Heavy Defeats

The United States men's national soccer team finished top of Group D at the 2026 World Cup after two matches, recording a 6-1 aggregate scoreline. The team defeated Paraguay 4-1 and Australia 2-0 before playing a dead-rubber fixture against Turkey on June 25. Only four teams at the tournament won their groups after two games.

Argentina, Germany and Mexico are among the others. The results follow a series of setbacks during Pochettino's tenure that began with a March 2025 Concacaf Nations League semi-final loss to Panama in an empty stadium. Panama scored the winner with its third shot.

Pochettino later described the defeat as a useful early lesson. Months afterward the United States lost the 2025 Gold Cup final to Mexico in Houston before a crowd that favored the opponents. Pochettino cried after that match and later said the team had been naive about the challenges ahead.

He cited a hostile atmosphere in one of the largest U.S. metro areas. The Gold Cup produced several players who became regulars, including Malik Tillman as chief playmaker, goalkeeper Matt Freese and defender Alex Freeman.

Christian Pulisic had asked to skip the tournament but was told to participate. A March 2026 camp brought further defeats, a 7-2 aggregate loss to Belgium and Portugal. Pochettino noted that those opponents had several players ranked among the world's top 100.

Pre-World Cup friendlies produced a 3-2 win over Senegal and a 2-1 loss to Germany. Defender Mark McKenzie said the team's progress would take time and was not expected overnight. Pochettino said the early losses helped identify problems and shape the current approach.