Avid World Cup 2026 viewers in the UK will either need to pull an all-nighter or set those alarm clocks for 3am on Friday morning, which is when the final two Group D matches take place.
The United States have been brilliant so far and have already scooped top spot in the group, while their opponents in Inglewood, Turkey, have surprisingly already been eliminated.
This means much of the attention will focus on Paraguay vs Australia in Santa Clara in the battle for second spot.
Here are the key World Cup 2026 stats ahead of the two games.
Key stats in Group D
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Turkey vs United States
- Turkey key stat: The Crescent-Stars have had a simply staggering 62 shots – 13 on target – without scoring this tournament.
- United States key stat: The Stars and Stripes could make history by winning three World Cup games on the spin for the first time.
Not content with already winning Group D, co-hosts the United States will now be looking to round off the group stages in style as they bid to win three games on the spin at the World Cup for the first time.
The US have already scored double the amount of goals (six) as they did in Qatar 2022 (three) and need just one more goal to equal their best ever World Cup tally of seven (1930 & 2002).
Turkey, eliminated already, are purely playing for pride as they seek to avoid losing three World Cup games in a row for the first time.
Turkey have the highest average possession (75%) with diddly-squat to show for it so far. They will be cursing their wasteful finishing, having had an extraordinary 62 shots – SIXTY-TWO – 13 of which have been on target, without scoring a goal across their two games.
Three Turkey players sit in the top-six for most shots so far this tournament, with Kenan Yildiz on 12, and both Hakan Calhanoglu and Arda Guler on 11.
Will their luck change against the US?
Paraguay vs Australia
- Paraguay key stat: Paraguay have averaged just 28.1% possession so far, the lowest of all 48 countries.
- Australia key stat: The Socceroos have never lost to Paraguay, winning two and drawing three of the five clashes.
Second spot is still up for grabs in Group D and it’s a straight shoot-out between Paraguay and Australia, who are tied on three points, albeit it’s the Socceroos who currently occupy second on goal difference, meaning they will go through as runners-up should they avoid defeat.
If Australia win they will have multiple wins at a single World Cup for only the second time in seven appearances – and for the second tournament in a row.
Tony Popovic’s troops will draw confidence from a five game unbeaten record against Paraguay, which consists of two wins and a draw, but fans will no doubt want their side to be more adventurous going forward, with their tally of 14 shots only better than Tunisia, Ghana, and Saudi Arabia.
The statistics don’t make great reading for Paraguay, who have averaged just 28.1% possession, which is the lowest of all 48 countries, while they have had the fourth most shots against them (48).
However, their 1-0 win over Turkey – achieved despite playing the whole second-half with 10 men – means they know that a win against Australia will secure second spot. To do this the Guaranies must win multiple matches – excluding penalty shoot-outs – at a World Cup for the first time ever, having never done this in eight previous editions.
A draw would be enough as a best third-place finisher. It will be very tight, but even a defeat might be enough to squeeze through.
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