The wait is finally over. The USA World Cup 2026 schedule has been confirmed, placing the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) in Group D for the historic tournament on home soil. With matches set for the West Coast powerhouses of Los Angeles and Seattle, the Stars and Stripes are poised for a massive home-field advantage.
Below is the complete breakdown of the USMNT’s path through the group stage, including kickoff times, stadium details, and what fans can expect from these pivotal matchups.
USA Group D Match Schedule
The United States will play two matches in California and one in Washington state. Mark these dates on your calendar immediately.
| Date | Matchup | Venue | Kickoff Time (ET) |
| June 12 | USA vs. Paraguay | Los Angeles Stadium (Inglewood, CA) | 9:00 PM |
| June 19 | USA vs. Australia | Seattle Stadium (Seattle, WA) | 3:00 PM |
| June 25 | USA vs. UEFA Playoff C | Los Angeles Stadium (Inglewood, CA) | 10:00 PM |
Note: “UEFA Playoff C” will be the winner among Slovakia, Kosovo, Türkiye, or Romania.
Match-by-Match Breakdown
1. The Opener: USA vs. Paraguay
- Date: Friday, June 122
- Location: Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium)3
- Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
The USMNT kicks off their 2026 campaign under the bright lights of Inglewood, California. Facing Paraguay in the opener is a favorable but tricky draw. South American teams are known for their physical defense and technical flair, but the USMNT will rely on the energy of a sold-out home crowd to secure an essential three points early.
Key SEO Insight: Historically, opening matches set the tone for the host nation. A win here drastically increases the statistical probability of advancing to the Round of 32.
2. The Seattle Clash: USA vs. Australia
- Date: Friday, June 194
- Location: Seattle Stadium (Lumen Field)5
- Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET
For the second match, the squad travels north to the “Emerald City.” Seattle Stadium is renowned for having one of the loudest atmospheres in professional sports.6 Australia (the Socceroos) brings a rugged, high-work-rate style of play that can frustrate technically superior teams.
This mid-afternoon kickoff (12:00 p.m. local time) will test the players’ endurance, but the USMNT’s depth and the raucous support of the “American Outlaws” in the Pacific Northwest should provide the necessary edge.
3. The Group Finale: USA vs. UEFA Playoff Winner C
- Date: Thursday, June 257
- Location: Los Angeles Stadium (Inglewood, CA)8
- Kickoff: 10 p.m. ET
The United States returns to Southern California to close out Group D against a European challenger. The opponent will be the survivor of the UEFA Playoff Path C, which features Slovakia, Kosovo, Türkiye, or Romania.9
European teams are tactically disciplined, making this potentially the toughest tactical test of the group stage. With kickoff set for late evening on the East Coast (7 p.m. local), this primetime showdown could decide who tops the group and secures a more favorable path in the knockout rounds.
USA vs Paraguay — Quick Links
Host Venues: The Fortress Factors
Los Angeles Stadium (Inglewood)
Hosting two of the three group games, this state-of-the-art venue is effectively the headquarters for the USMNT’s group stage run. With a capacity expanding over 70,000 for the World Cup, the ultra-modern roof and screen ensure a spectacle, but the grass pitch installation will be the technical detail analysts watch closely.
Seattle Stadium (Seattle)
Known for its deafening acoustics, this venue offers a distinct home-field advantage. The tighter, vertically stacked seating creates an intimidating wall of sound that can rattle opposition players unused to such proximity to the fans.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
The USA World Cup 2026 schedule offers a balanced path. avoiding traditional heavyweights like France or Brazil in the group stage. However, the travel between Los Angeles and Seattle is manageable, keeping the team in the same time zone and minimizing jet lag—a crucial logistical win for the host nation.
Next Steps for Fans: Tickets are expected to be in record demand. Ensure you are registered with FIFA’s official ticketing portal and start planning your West Coast travel itinerary now to be part of history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which TV channel will broadcast the USA World Cup games?
Major broadcasters like FOX Sports (English) and Telemundo (Spanish) hold the rights in the US.
Who is the potential opponent from UEFA Playoff C?
The spot will be filled by one of four nations: Slovakia, Kosovo, Türkiye, or Romania, determined by the European playoff qualifiers.10
Why are the games on the West Coast?
To reduce travel fatigue for teams, FIFA has clustered groups by region. Group D is the “West Region” cluster, utilizing venues in California, Washington, and Vancouver (for other group matches).