2026 FIFA World Cup: Australia’s Group D draw will be welcomed by Socceroos despite challenges

“They’re lucky it was a friendly. I was ready to go...and if (the ref) didn’t give me a s... yellow in the corner, I probably would’ve killed somebody.” Those venomous — and quite frankly, melodramatic — words oozed from the mouth of USA defender Chris Richards after his side’s 2-1 win over Tony Popovic’s Socceroos in October following a physical, combative encounter between the two sides. He will not have to wait long to renew hostilities; less than 200 days in fact, after Australia were drawn in Group D for the FIFA World Cup alongside USA, Paraguay and a to-be-determined European qualifier. Seattle will be the battleground for the rematch with the brash host nation, whose pundits were already rubbing their hands with glee at the perceived ease of their draw, hailing it as a “lay-up”. But while Australia will likely similarly feel positive about their group, do not expect any change in approach from Popovic and his men, either physically or tactically. After recent national and continental tours were met with warm-ish reviews and the ensuing attempt to make an impact in the competitive American market did not go as hoped, Popaball’s global launch now has a definitive start date. It does not matter who the Socceroos face, their hard-nosed approach, rooted in defensive discipline and making fewer mistakes than your opponents, will be a guiding principle. On the surface, this is the kindest World Cup group Australia have faced. Regardless of which team joins them out of Turkiye, Romania, Slovakia and Kosovo, it will be the highest average FIFA ranking per team out of any groups the Socceroos have been pooled in across their past five tournaments. However, while the expanded World Cup of 48 teams, up from the previous 32, may somewhat dilute the quality, it does not lower the ceiling of the opponents; just because you’re adding extra mixer does not change the volume of the shot glass. The weight of a nation on their backs may overawe some, but the Americans are a patriotic bunch and will likely be imbued with confidence rather than wracked with anxiety. Plus, with ex-Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino at the helm, you can count on them being well-drilled. Paraguay may have “only” finished sixth in South American qualifying, but they finished level on points with Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia, the latter of whom just beat Australia 3-0 last month. Turkiye, who will be favourite to go through in the March play-offs out of the four European teams, finished only behind European champions Spain in qualifying. possess some serious firepower in the form of Inter Milan star Hakan Calhanoglu and Real Madrid young gun Arda Guler. But Popovic will not be phased by any of that. He has constructed his Socceroos side to survive without the ball and thrive by hunkering down and hitting opponents on the counter. After all, this is a man who has won trophies and reached grand finals by coaching teams to make fewer mistakes than their opponents. Why would he change the driving force in his career when it has propelled him this far? Despite their recent loss to the Americans, Popovic may privately not mind going up against a US side who will be under pressure to make a statement and play on the front foot. Even if this does look like a nicer group compared to the murderer’s rows Australia faced in 2014 and 2018, the Socceroos will look to seize the day by holdng on until nightfall.