Analysis··4 min read

Group D Round of 32 Scenarios: USA, Australia, Türkiye, Paraguay

Türkiye are on zero points but Group D's third-place spot still leads to a R32 trip to Dallas against France. Full scenarios after USA 2-0 Australia.

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Group D's race for 1st is over - the United States are home and dry on 6 points with a +5 goal difference after beating Paraguay 4-1 and Australia 2-0. The fight is now over 2nd (winner-up to USA in the R32 bracket) and 3rd (best-third lottery).

Where Group D stands now

PosTeamPtsGDPlayed
1United States6+54-1 PAR, 2-0 AUS
2Australia302-0 TUR, 0-2 USA
3Paraguay3-21-4 USA, 1-0 TUR
4Türkiye0-30-2 AUS, 0-1 PAR
Group D standings after Matchday 2.

Matchday 3 (June 25): Türkiye vs USA in Los Angeles, Paraguay vs Australia in Santa Clara.

Likely 3rd-placer: Türkiye

Türkiye are bottom on 0 points and need wins from here. The realistic 3rd-place outcome: USA wins or draws Türkiye to lock 1D; Paraguay-Australia decides 2D (the winner clinches it). Türkiye finishes 3rd unless they win and Paraguay-Australia draws.

With a Türkiye win over USA (USA likely rotating with 1D secured) and Paraguay-Australia drawing, Türkiye reach 3 points and become a marginal best-third candidate. Realistic Football Meets Data probability for Group D's 3rd-placer making the best 8: 72.0%.

R32 path: Match 77 vs France

FIFA's Annex C allocation places Group D's third-placer into Match 77 against the winner of Group I - heavy favourite France.

Projected R32 fixture: **Türkiye vs France at AT&T Stadium, Dallas, on Tuesday June 30 at 1:00 PM CT (2:00 PM ET)**. A heavy draw for whoever finishes 3rd in Group D - France are a Kalshi 66% to win Group I outright, and even if Norway surprises (currently leading I on GD), the opponent is still elite.

What to watch

  • Türkiye vs USA on June 25 - Türkiye must win to stay alive.
  • Paraguay vs Australia on June 25 - winner takes 2D, loser drops to best-third pool.
  • Group I final standings - the eventual opponent (France/Norway/Senegal) defines difficulty.

More: the best third-placed teams pillar.

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