The United States men’s national team learned its fate for the 2026 World Cup as the first 48-team World Cup was drawn in Washington, D.C.

Still, the USMNT is facing a much smoother road to the knockout rounds than, say, England or France. England has 2018 runner-up Croatia, USMNT World Cup nemesis Ghana and Panama in its Group L while France has 2022 African champion Senegal, Erling Haaland and Norway and the winner of an intercontinental playoff.

The USMNT will play Australia and Paraguay in Group D, as well as third opponent from Europe that will be determined in March

Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros give their live reaction to the World Cup Draw. The boys break down the USMNT’s group, assess the tournament’s main contenders, and weigh in on who is primed for a deep run.

Having automatically qualified as a host nation, the U.S. was helpfully put in Pot 1 of the draw, meaning that it will avoid most of the big-name soccer nations of Europe and South America that are quadrennial threats to hoist the trophy.

The United States will face Australia, Paraguay and a European playoff winner in group stage play when the tournament opens next summer.

First, it’s an opening game against Erling Haaland's Norway, which won every qualifier on their way to the World Cup. After that, it’s the winner of Bolivia, Iraq or Suriname, ending with a game against Senegal, a country so deeply connected to the French, who also did well in qualifiers.

U.S. Soccer has confirmed the U.S. men's national team's final four opponents ahead of next summer's World Cup