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US, Germany Kick Off World Cup Groups; Odds Favor Underdogs

6/5/2026

32 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

USA Opens

The United States opens Group D against Paraguay on 13 June at SoFi Stadium.
Germany begins Group E versus Curacao on 14 June at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Odds list the United States at 50/1, Germany at 80/1, Curacao at 2000/1 and the Netherlands at 16/1.
Predictions rank Turkey to win Group D and Germany to win Group E.
Predictions give the Netherlands the Group F win, with Sweden second and Japan advancing as a third-placed team.

Summary

MLS Fuels World Cup

MLS representation expands to 12 national teams as eight players join the U.S. squad and three join Haiti.
Twenty-two MLS clubs, from Atlanta United to San Diego FC, will have at least one player on a World Cup roster.
LAFC supplies three Canadians—Eustáquio, Choinière and Shaffelburg—who will debut for Canada in Group B.
$50 discounted tickets are offered only to New York City residents, making New Jersey fans ineligible.

History

Historical Context

After FIFA awarded the United States the 1994 World Cup on July 4 1988, the tournament set a record 3.6 million spectators and spurred the creation of Major League Soccer, which began in 1996. That legacy positioned the U.S. as a trusted host, leading to its 2026 Group D opener versus Paraguay and Germany’s match against Curaçao, expanding the league’s market.

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USA Opens

The United States opens Group D against Paraguay on 13 June at SoFi Stadium.
Germany begins Group E versus Curacao on 14 June at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Odds list the United States at 50/1, Germany at 80/1, Curacao at 2000/1 and the Netherlands at 16/1.
Predictions rank Turkey to win Group D and Germany to win Group E.
Predictions give the Netherlands the Group F win, with Sweden second and Japan advancing as a third-placed team.

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