The U.S. men’s national team’s three group stage opponents at this summer’s FIFA World Cup have all officially submitted their final rosters.
Turkey, Paraguay, and Australia sent in their final rosters to FIFA ahead of the start of the summer tournament, the federation announced Tuesday. All three national teams await Mauricio Pochettino’s men in Group D play, with the USMNT opening group stage play on June 12 in Los Angeles.
Paraguay will square off with the Americans from SoFi Stadium in 10 days’ time, only seven months since their last head-to-head meeting in friendly action. Several of Gustavo Alfaro’s final selection featured in that 2-1 loss at Subaru Park including captain Gustavo Gomez, midfielder Miguel Almiron, and attackers Julio Enciso and Kaku.
Alex Arce, who scored Paraguay’s lone goal in that match, is also on the final roster.
Australia, who the USMNT defeated 2-1 last October, will be the Americans’ second group stage opponent on June 19 in Seattle, Washington.
Among the headlining names on Tony Popovic’s roster were goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, defenders Miloš Degenek and Aziz Behich, midfielder Jackson Irvine, and forward Mathew Leckie. All five players have earned 50 international caps or more with the Socceroos.
Haji Wright scored twice in the last head-to-head meeting between the two sides after Jordan Bos opened the scoring from Commerce City, Colorado.
Group D favorites Turkey will be the USMNT’s final group stage opponent on Thursday, June 25 at Los Angeles Stadium.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu will captain the side after playing such a vital role in the squad over the past decade. Merih Demiral and Çağlar Söyüncü headline the Turkish backline while Real Madrid’s Arda Guler will be a tough talent for the USMNT to stop.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu has scored 15 goals for Turkey during his international career, which is the second-most among active players in the squad (Calhanoglu leads the way with 22).
Turkey defeated the Americans 2-1 last June prior to the Americans’ run to the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final later that summer. Guler and Aktürkoğlu both found the back of the net after Jack McGlynn’s first-minute opener.