GROUP D

Australia

Star player: Nestory Irankunda

World Cup best: Last 16, 2006 and 2022

Appearing at their sixth straight World Cup, the Socceroos beat Tunisia and Denmark in 2022 to reach the last 16 before bowing out to eventual champions Argentina. They are expected to prove a handful once again.

Irish angle: Former Burnley, Melbourne City and Standard Liege midfield Aiden O'Neill is certainly well travelled and currently plying his trade in the MLS with New York City. The 27-year-old, unsurprisingly, has Irish heritage but rebuffed approaches from both the FAI and IFA to play for Australia.

Paraguay

Coach: Gustavo Alfaro

Star player: Miguel Almiron

World Cup best: Quarter-finals, 2010

This dogged, well-drilled side are back at the World Cup for the first time since reaching the last eight in 2010. Gustavo Alfaro has transformed Paraguay since taking charge, with the side beating South American giants Argentina and Brazil at home during qualification.

Irish angle: Ireland have a 100% international record against Paraguay. Admittedly the two sides have only met twice, both times in friendlies but a 2-0 win in 1999 and a 2-1 triumph in 2010 means that while Paraguay are going to the World Cup, they can't beat us.

Turkey

Coach: Vincenzo Montella

Star player: Arda Guler

World Cup best: 3rd place, 2002

The football-loving nation missed the last five World Cups and make their return with an exciting squad, featuring some exceptional talents complemented by experienced heads. Real Madrid talent Arda Guler and Juventus' Kenan Yildiz, both 21, could light up the tournament.

Irish angle: Ireland and Turkey met in a 1999 play-off for a place at Euro 2000 which Irish fans never got to watch. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, talks between Irish broadcasters and Turkish rights holders Star TV broke down with the asking price for the rights rising seemingly at a whim.

Then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern protested to the Turkish prime minister, Bulent Ecevit, against the "extortionate" $3million, but no deal was reached and the 0-0 draw was played to a media blackout.

United States

Coach: Mauricio Pochettino

Star player: Christian Pulisic

World Cup best: 3rd place, 1930

After hosting the 1994 edition kickstarted soccer Stateside, 2026 offers the chance to take the game to new heights. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is under the microscope as he leads the US into a home tournament with a much-debated squad who need to utilise home advantage.

Irish angle: USA manager Mauricio Pochettino hails from an Argentinian town with Irish links. Pochettino is a native of Murphy, Santa Fe. The town gets its name from Wexford man John James Murphy who made his fortune in Argentina as a sheep farmer.

Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts

More stories on

  • Sport
  • Soccer
  • World Cup 2026

Source: RTE