Australia Secures World Cup Qualification Against Paraguay

In the 2026 World Cup, Australia secured their place in the round of 16 with a goalless draw (0-0) against Paraguay. The Paraguayan team now must wait to see if they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. Meanwhile, Turkey, already eliminated, salvaged some honor by defeating the United States 3-2 in a dramatic finish.

On June 25, 2026, in San Francisco, the Australian team celebrated their qualification for the knockout stage after holding onto second place in Group D with a single point from their match against Paraguay. The Paraguayans, with four points and a goal difference of -2, will now depend on other results to determine their place in the knockout rounds.

The match was characterized by a lack of scoring opportunities, with Paraguay striving to secure a win that would guarantee their progression. However, the Paraguayan players, including Julio Enciso, failed to create significant pressure on Australian goalkeeper Patrick Beach. On the other hand, the Australians focused primarily on defending, often on the edge of legality, and made occasional counterattacks, relying on the speed of Watford winger Nestory Irankunda.

In a separate game held at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States faced Turkey, which had been assured of finishing last in the group before the kickoff. Despite the absence of competitive stakes, the match provided entertainment for a multitude of Hollywood stars, including Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, who were reminiscent of their roles from the film Fight Club. The Turkish team eventually achieved a late victory when Galatasaray defender Kaan Ayhan scored from a tackle on a cross into the American goal, ending the match at 3-2.

The USA will next play against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 16 on Wednesday in Santa Clara.