Australia was solid enough to resist Paraguay‘s efforts, and by doing so, the Socceroos have confirmed their second spot in Group D and by consequence, a spot in the Round of 32.

The Land Down Under must be thrilled to be in this position, as Australia will now face the second seed of Group G on July 3, which, per the moment of writing, is Iran. Australia should be eyeing that matchup with positivity, thinking they could dream with a Round of 16 appearance.

Group D final standings

The USMNT was already determined as the group leader, while Turkiye was already eliminated. Hence, the only thing that remained to be settled was the position of Australia and Paraguay. Now, it’s all set in stone.

What’s next for Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup?

Paraguay’s World Cup dream is not done just yet. By having four points, they are still very much in the fight to advance as one of the best eight third-place spots in the tournament. However, their goal difference puts them in some jeopardy.

Now, the Paraguayans have to wait and pray for a string of results that leave them as one of those third-place wildcards. As of now, they are in the mix and if it all ended today, they would play Germany on June 29. However, that could change in the upcoming days as Matchday 3 comes to a close.

With this result, Australia secured second place behind the USA with 4 points. Meanwhile, Paraguay finished third, also with 4 points. For now, that tally would be enough for them to qualify as one of the best third-place finishers, but they must still wait for other results across the tournament.

Australia claim the second-place spot over Paraguay strictly due to goal difference. The Australian squad finishes with a 0-goal difference, while Paraguay finish at -2, a margin stemming from the blowout loss they suffered against the USA on the opening matchday.

The third-place standings table

One of the most intriguing aspects of this 2026 World Cup is the new qualification format for the best third-place finishers, which is delivering incredible stories of a second life in the sport’s most prestigious competition.

As previously mentioned, Paraguay currently remain within the best third-place sides, sitting in fourth place. Only the top eight third-place teams will advance to the next round. Here is how the standings look so far:

What results do Paraguay need to wait for?

The probability of elimination is extremely low, and although it seems highly unlikely, mathematics have not yet completely locked in Paraguay’s qualification. For the absolute worst-case scenario to occur, all of the following conditions would have to be met:

• Group G: Belgium and Iran win their respective matches.
• Group H: Cape Verde and Uruguay win their respective matches.
• Group J: Algeria and Austria play to a draw, featuring one or more goals.
• Group K: Democratic Republic of the Congo win their match.
• Group L: Croatia win their match by a minimum of three goals.

In the previous game against Turkiye, Miguel Almiron was sent off after covering his mouth to say something to an opponent during an argument. Due to the situations involving Gianluca Prestianni and Vinicius Jr., FIFA implemented this new rule to avoid further issues.

Almirón will only miss this match against Australia. If Paraguay advances to the Round of 32, he will be available for his nation’s next match.

Paraguay desperately needs a victory

Entering Matchday 3 in Group D, Paraguay has three points after defeating Turkiye despite Almiron’s red card. However, its ticket to the next round is not yet secured.

If Paraguay defeats Australia, the South Americans will secure their ticket to the Round of 32, no matter what happens between the USMNT and Turkiye.

With a win, Paraguay would reach six points and secure second place. Even if the United States loses, the tiebreaker would give the USMNT the edge to advance as group leaders.

Following a disappointing debut against the United States, where they were clearly outplayed and fell in a resounding 4-1 loss, Paraguay showed their resilience, climbed in the FIFA rankings, and bounced back in a heated match to defeat Turkey 1-0.

The path for Australia, who sit slightly lower in the FIFA rankings, was the exact opposite. They smiled in their opening match by defeating the Turkish squad 2-0, powered by a great defensive performance and quick counterattack transitions. However, in their second match, they showed very little and fell by the same 2-0 scoreline against the host.

What happens if Paraguay win vs Australia?

If Paraguay secure the victory against Australia, the Albirroja will reach 6 total points and automatically lock up second place in Group D, qualifying directly to the Round of 32. It doesn’t matter what happens between the USA and Turkiye, as the USMNT has already secured the top spot in the group.

Due to the head-to-head tiebreaker rule, this triumph would grant Paraguay an irreversible mathematical advantage over the Australians, making it impossible for the Oceanian side to surpass them by the end of the day, regardless of what happens in the simultaneous match between the United States and Turkey.

What happens if Paraguay and Australia tie?

If Paraguay and Australia draw on the pitch, each squad will reach 4 points in the standings table. This would neutralize the head-to-head criteria and force a resort to global FIFA tiebreaker methods. Australia qualify as the second team in Group D, while Paraguay need to wait other results to confirm their spot as one of the eight best third-place teams in the Round of 32.

Because Australia currently possess a better overall goal difference (0) compared to Paraguay (-2), the Socceroos would claim the second direct qualification spot in the sector. However, under the expanded 48-team format, finishing the group stage with 4 points would practically guarantee that Paraguay advance to the next stage as one of the eight best third-place teams in the entire tournament.

What happens if Paraguay lose vs Australia?

A defeat against Australia would freeze Paraguay at 3 points at the close of the group stage, allowing the Australians to climb to 6 points and take the direct berth alongside the Americans.

As the head-to-head criteria activates, the Australians would secure absolute priority over the South American squad, leaving Paraguay stuck in third place in Group D. With only 3 units and a negative goal difference that would worsen after the loss, the Albirroja would be left in a highly vulnerable situation, depending on highly complex external combinations in the other groups to try to slip through as one of the eight best third-place nations.

Group D standings

Turpin already has one 2026 World Cup match under his belt. He didn’t issue a single yellow or red card during England’s 4-2 win over Croatia on June 17, despite the teams combining for 22 fouls.

Paraguay sits in a good spot in the FIFA rankings after a win against Turkey. On the other side, Australia needs to seize its chance to reach the knockout stage, even though the situation in Group D remains incredibly tight.

Clement Turpin’s experience

Turpin is a seasoned official with 148 matches under his belt, averaging 3.33 yellow cards and just 0.16 red cards per game across all competitions and domestic leagues.

Beyond his recent assignment between England and Croatia, he also refereed three matches during the 2022 World Cup, where he averaged 1.33 yellow cards per game and didn’t hand out a single red. He clearly prefers to let the game flow rather than constantly blowing the whistle.

Will physicality play a role?

Paraguay accumulated seven yellow cards and one red card over its first two group stage matches, including one for Miguel Almiron after he covered his mouth while exchanging words with an opponent. Paraguay plays a highly physical style, which could be a major factor in this matchup.

Meanwhile, Australia with only four yellow cards, all coming against the United States. That was a tough game for the Socceroos, where frustration forced them into a tight, desperate defense that led to a high number of fouls.

Australia climbed one spot in the rankings, moving to 27th place from 26th with 1584.55 points. They will look to keep advancing both in the rankings and through the World Cup stages, where the team hopes to put together a historic performance.

Australia arrive following a 2-0 defeat against USA, but they hold an advantage as Paraguay arrive with the sensitive absence of Miguel Almiron, who was sent off in the match between Paraguay and Turkiye, where the South Americans secured an agonizing victory.

Australia in search of victory

With a victory, Australia would secure 6 points and an unquestioned qualification to the next round. A defeat will leave Paraguay with 3 points, which will considerably reduce their chances of advancing through the best third-place qualification. In addition to waiting on multiple results, goal difference could become a decisive factor against other national teams that also finish with three points.

A draw is not something Australia would desire, but they would benefit from goal difference. If both teams tie, Paraguay will reach 4 points, although they will remain behind Australia due to goal difference—a criterion that currently favors the Oceanians.

In that scenario, the Albirroja will finish third in Group D and will have to wait until the other zones conclude to find out whether they secure one of the eight spots reserved for the best third-place teams in the tournament.

Four points usually represent a competitive figure in this format, but qualification will no longer depend exclusively on the Paraguayan squad. However, given how the results are going, finishing third with 4 points basically means having one foot inside the next round.

Currently sitting on 3 points in Group D, Paraguay shares the exact same goal as Australia: avoid elimination and secure a spot in the knockout stage. Fans can expect a hard-fought, physical battle as both squads fight for survival.

Australia will look to bounce back under perfect playing conditions. After a tough loss to the United States, the Socceroos still have a clear path to advance and will rely on the ideal weather to help them find a winning rhythm.

City and stadium

The Group D clash takes place in Santa Clara, California, a city with a rich sports history. Paraguay enters the matchup backed by a strong FIFA ranking, eager to prove they have what it takes to dominate on American soil.

San Francisco Bay Area Stadium features a World Cup capacity of 68,827. In addition to highly contested group stage matches, the venue is also set to host a critical knockout stage fixture later in the tournament.

Weather and attendance

Attendance has been nearly maxed out for every match at this stadium so far. The opening game drew 67,966 fans, while the most recent match on June 22 saw an impressive crowd of 68,371. Expect another packed house as Paraguay and Australia fans fill the stands.

Conditions on the field look pristine. The daytime forecast calls for sunny skies with a high of 75°F (24°C), 54% humidity, and northwest winds at 10 mph. By kickoff in the evening, skies will turn partly cloudy with a comfortable low of 57°F (14°C) and just a 10% chance of rain.

How to watch Paraguay vs Australia in the USA

Fans across the United States will be able to watch this highly anticipated contest live on FS1 and Telemundo through traditional TV coverage.

Streaming is also available on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling Blue, Hulu + Live TV, and Peacock Premium. Don’t miss the action.

Can I watch Paraguay vs Australia for free?

Fans in the United States can watch this marquee matchup live on Fubo or DirecTV Stream. Eligible new users may also qualify for a free five-day trial.

Each service delivers live coverage across the country, giving fans access to every major play, pivotal sequence, and game-changing moment as it unfolds.

Match Preview: What’s at stake?

The spotlight in Group D falls on this crucial Matchday 3 clash, with Paraguay and Australia battling for second place. While the United States has already secured first place and Turkey has been eliminated, both remaining contenders still have plenty to play for.

Each defeated Turkey and lost to the Americans, but Australia holds the advantage with a goal difference of 0 compared to Paraguay’s -2. A draw would be enough for the Socceroos, though Paraguay will be pushing for a victory to secure its place in the next round.

Paraguay vs Australia: Predicted Lineups

Paraguay (4-4-2): Orlando Gill; Juan Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, Omar Alderete, Agustín Sández; Andrés Cubas; Diego Gómez, Damián Bobadilla, Matías Galarza, Julio Enciso; Isidro Pitta.

Australia (3-4-2-1): Thomas Beach; Cameron Burgess, Harry Souttar, Alessandro Circati; Sebastian Italiano, Aiden O’Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler, Jordan Bos; Connor Metcalfe, Nestory Irankunda; Mohamed Toure Yengi.

What time is the Paraguay vs Australia match?

The match kicks off today, June 25, at 10:00 PM (ET). For viewers in different regions of the United States, here are the local start times:

Eastern Time: 10:00 PM
Central Time: 9:00 PM
Mountain Time: 8:00 PM
Pacific Time: 7:00 PM

Paraguay arrive with a confidence boost after securing an agonizing victory against Turkiye. With that result, they climbed four spots in the official rankings, moving from 41st to 37th place with 1517.39 points. Now, they will look to extend their World Cup run and continue climbing the international standings.

Paraguay are coming off a 1-0 win over Turkiye, a match they played with a man down since the first half. That red card went to key player Miguel Almiron, meaning he will be unavailable today—a sensitive absence that could take a toll on the squad.

The ranking difference with Australia

On paper, Paraguay hold the advantage as the higher-ranked national team. Australia entered the World Cup in a good position in the rankings, but they have since climbed one spot to 26th place with 1584.55 points.

An 11-position gap divides the two sides, which is a notable factor when measuring their respective levels. However, this is the World Cup and anything can happen in these types of matches, especially considering Paraguay will be missing a vital piece of their puzzle.

Paraguay’s historical World Cup track record

The best performance for the Albirroja came in their last tournament appearance back in South Africa 2010, when they were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Previously, they reached the Round of 16 three times (Mexico 1986, France 1998, and Korea-Japan 2002) and were eliminated in the group stage on three other occasions (Brazil 1950, Sweden 1958, and Germany 2006).

Now, they look to capitalize on the opportunity for the best third-place teams to qualify, aiming to extend their path and target the best performance in their World Cup history with one of their finest generations, which is full of hungry and talented young players eager for success.

With Christian Pulisic sidelined due to an injury suffered in their opener against Paraguay, the United States still managed to dictate the tempo against Australia, securing the definitive result USA needed to comfortably advance to the Round of 32.

The USMNT is in the Round of 32

Following Mexico’s early clinching of the top spot in Group A on Thursday, the USMNT followed suit just a day later. With a perfect six points, Mauricio Pochettino’s side has mathematically locked up the group leadership and guaranteed a favorable path into the knockout stage.

The USMNT has secured two victories in its first two games of the 2026 World Cup. Australia remains stuck on three points and could still theoretically tie the Stars and Stripes at six points; however, FIFA’s head-to-head tie-breaker rules guarantee the co-hosts the ultimate advantage even if the USA falls in its final group match.

No Pulisic, no problem

Pulisic remained on the bench for the match against the Socceroos, as Mauricio Pochettino wisely chose not to risk his star player’s long-term tournament availability. Fortunately for the USMNT, they didn’t need Captain America on the pitch to successfully overcome this physical test.

An own goal from Australian defender Cameron Burgess and a sharp finish from Alex Freeman provided the damage for the United States, proving that Pochettino has plenty of attacking weapons at his disposal. Pulisic, who shined against Paraguay in the first match, remains hopeful to be fully fit for the final group stage fixture against Turkiye.

Playing in Group D against Australia, Turkiye, and Paraguay, the fact that the USMNT managed two wins in two games is quite impressive. Hence, all eyeballs are on if it can keep this momentum going.

The next game for USA will be vs. Turkiye on June 25th, at 10:00 PM ET. It will be the second game in Los Angeles for the Bars and Stripes as their 2026 World Cup opener was also played at that venue.

Has the USMNT secured the leadership in Group D?

Not yet. The USMNT sealed its spot on the next round as mathematically, it has the numbers to go through. However, Turkiye needs to win against Paraguay to keep their World Cup dreams alive. If the Europeans win, and then beat the USMNT, they will go first thanks to the head-to-head record against the USA.

A win or a draw against Turkiye will confirm the USMNT as the Group D leaders. The other way is if Turkiye can’t beat Paraguay, then no matter what, the USMNT will lead the group. It will have tiebreakers against Paraguay and Australia, and Turkiye wouldn’t be able to tie the USMNT in points.

Who will the USMNT face in the Round of 32 if it wins Group D?

If the USMNT wins Group D, it will face one of the third-place teams from either Group B, E, F, I, or J in the Round of 32. Because it will play a third-place finisher from another group, its exact opponent cannot be determined until the entire group stage concludes.

If by some reason the USMNT doesn’t win Group D, it will face the runner-up of Group G (Belgium, Iran, Egypt, or New Zealand). Hence, for the USMNT it’s better to win it all and wait for a third-place.