FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group D Trivia Quiz

Answer: Miguel Almiron

In the second half, Miguel Almiron drove towards the goal line with Tim Ream trying to shepherd him. Ream made a lunging challenge and clearly did not make contact with either the ball nor Almiron. Two strides later, Almiron threw himself to the ground. On the Assistant's advice, the Referee awarded a free kick to Paraguay and booked Ream.

The decision to review this was made under one of the rule revisions introduced at this World Cup, whereby Video Assistant Referees can now intervene to correct mistaken identity: "If a player is booked or sent off but the foul was actually committed by the opposition team, the decision can be changed." Final decision: yellow card to Ream rescinded; yellow card awarded to Almiron for simulation; free kick to USA. People may not like VAR, but any process where cheating is identified and punished can only be good for the game.

Answer: Nestory Irankunda

Born in a Tanzanian refugee camp, Irankunda was one of six of the Australian squad born in Africa, the others being Awer Mabil and Tete Yengi (South Sudan), Lucas Herrington (Zimbabwe), Touré (Guinea) and Jason Geria (Uganda). Mabil and Touré also arrived in Australia as refugees. Irankunda's goal saw him become Australia's youngest-ever World Cup finals goal scorer.

The second goal was scored from outside the area by Connor Metcalfe.

Answer: USA advance to Round of 32, Australia must wait

A bright start for both sides saw the promise of an exciting match. In the 11th minute Folarin Balogun cut in from the left and drove a low cross into the box which deflected off Cameron Burgess for an own goal. 1-0 to the USA. In the 43rd minute Alex Freeman headed in after a deflected shot. It was originally deemed offside, but VAR correctly ruled that the scorer was in an onside position, 2-0 to the USA. In the first half, the USA had carried on exactly where they had left off from their match against Paraguay. Australia, on the other hand, had left their Turkiye match form back in the dressing room. What would the second half bring?

Australia made three changes at half time and another was forced through injury shortly after. They started showing more promise in attack and had a few half chances. From around the 60 minute mark the game became a lot more even, USA were having to defend, Australia were showing that they could play to the same standard. The Socceroos were finishing the match in the same way USA had started it. However, despite a number of good half chances, the defence stayed resolute. So, the USA progressed to the Round of 32 and Australia had to wait to see the result of other matches, and their own last match, to know their fate.

Answer: 1

Well, the fastest goal of the tournament, set earlier that day, didn't last long! Paraguay's Matias Galarza scored from outside the area into the bottom right corner after 64 seconds. Not content with that, he then scythed down a Turkish opponent after three and a half minutes. As the half went on, both sides were attacking, but it descended into a game of niggle and seeing who could fool the referee the best.

In stoppage time at the end of the first half, the referee was advised by the VAR to go to the pitchside monitor to review a possible red card situation. Upshot of all that: Paraguay's Miguel Almiron was sent off for 'covering his mouth'. More specifically, he did it 'in a confrontational situation'. This was a new rule which predominantly is there to address racial abuse situations: "Any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation may receive a red card if their mouth is covered with the hand, arm or shirt". The referee was very animated and loud end excited when replaying his decision over the loudspeakers, then he charged towards Almiron waving his red card. It's like he figured this was his fifteen seconds of fame.

The second half was a battle of attrition with a lot of niggle thrown in. As the half drew to a close, Turkiye's finishing and decision making left a lot to be desired. Playing an entire half with an extra player should have been to their advantage. Frankly, they weren't able to hit the broadside of a barn. For the Paraguayans, their hard-earned victory finally arrived. Mercifully, the rest of us were put out of the misery that was Turkiye's inability to score.
Almiron's send off was the 7th of the tournament.

Answer: 0

In the 4th minute, Australia's Jackson Irvine had a snap shot from a tight angle that the keeper Orlando Gill did well to push away. In the 10th minute, Aiden O'Neill tried a shot from outside the area that flew high and wide. In the 19th minute Jordy Bos made space down the right a sent a low hard cross in, but it was cleared. In the first 20 minutes it was all Australia, but nothing to show for it. In the 23rd minute Connor Metcalfe shot from outside the area, but it was charged down. In the 36th minute, Bos shot from outside the area but his shot was comfortably saved by Gill. In the 37th minute Paraguay finally got into Australia's area with a long throw but it came to nothing. In the 2nd minute of stoppage time, Christian Volpato had a shot which Gill did well to parry. In the 3rd minute of stoppage time, Irvine headed a hard chance over the bar. Half time, score was 0-0.

In the 48th minute, Paraguay finally had a shot, Andres Cubas blazed high from outside the area. In the 50th minute Mauricio had a shot from outside the area that was comfortably saved by the Aussie keeper, Patrick Beach. In the 56th minute Juan Caceres blazed over from wide out instead of crossing. In the 59th minute, Nestory Irankunda broke free down the right, cut inside, but his low shot went well wide. In the 61st minute Ajdin Hrustic had a shot charged down. Time for the hydration break; it seems Paraguay got a rollicking at half time as they have come out to play in the second half and the game is a lot more even.

In the 74th minute, Matias Galarza overhit his cross and it sailed out at the far post. In the 82nd minute, Julio Enciso dragged a snapshot wide. In the 83rd minute, Jordy Bos made a mazy run into the area, but his shot was charged down. In the 90th minute, Bos weaved his way into the area again, but his curling shot went just outside of the far post. In the 3rd minute of stoppage time Mauricio shot and it was well saved by Beach. Straight up to the other end and Tete Yengi's shot was weak and was saved by Gill. Full time, end score was 0-0.

As a result of this match, Australia finished second and with the USA, who lost to Turkiye but still topped the group, they progressed to the Round of 32. Paraguay must wait to see if they progress as one of the eight best third placed teams. Turkiye is eliminated.

This scoreless draw was only Australia's second in its 23 World Cup finals matches. The first was against Chile in West Germany 1974. Lucas Herrington's appearance in this match meant he became the youngest Socceroo to appear in a World Cup finals match (aged 18 yrs 9 mths).

Answer: Turkey won 3-2

Türkiye hoped the USA would take it easy. In the 1st minute of the match Giovanni Reyna had a shot blocked by the Turkish defence. One minute later, Auston Trusty almost benefitted from a defensive mix up, but keeper Ugurcan Cakir saved. In the third minute, Trusty got his revenge when a corner found him unmarked at the far post - he had time to control and shoot and score. 1-0 to the USA. In the 10th minute a slick Turkiye passing move saw them slice through the USA defence like hot knives through butter. Arda Guler scored past keeper Matt Turner after being fed through by Kenan Yildiz. In the 13th minute Weston McKennie burst into the box and set up Brenden Aaronson, whose shot was saved by Cakir. In the 29th minute Mark McKenzie put the ball into the net after a goalmouth scramble, but he was ruled offside.

In the 31st minute Turkiye took the lead after a great one-two pass down the left, and the cross by Yildiz was met by Orkun Kokcu making a late run into the box. 2-1 to Turkiye. In the 3rd minute of stoppage time Trusty put a header from a corner over the bar. Half time, 2-1 to Turkiye. In the 3rd minute of the second half Aaronson's cross was blocked. In the 49th minute Sebastian Berhalter scored with a stinging low drive from outside of the box. Score is 2-2. After 61 minutes Christian Pulisic read a crossfield ball better than his defender and surged toward goal. His reflex attempt bounced into the ground and then back off the post before the rebound was put well wide by Aaronson. In the 63rd minute Pulisic and when the rebound came to McKennie, his shot was deflected behind. In the 5th minute of stoppage time, Ricardo Pepi's shot for the USA was blocked. In the final minute of stoppage time, Turkiye won the ball back from the USA who were trying (unsuccessfully) to play keep ball in the corner. A cross went to the far post where Can Uzun was criminally unmarked, his shot come cross into the area and was met by a sliding Kaan Ayhan for a sensational winning goal. Final score 3-2 to Turkiye.

As a result of this match, the USA topped the group and with Australia, who drew with Paraguay, they progressed to the Round of 32. Paraguay had to wait to see if they were one of the eight best third-placed teams. Turkiye is eliminated.
The eight goals already scored in the 2026 WC Finals is the most scored by the USA in any WC finals tournament.

Answer: Turkey

This one had been harder to forecast, most would have foreseen the USA finishing top, but the order of the following three was up for grabs. Paraguay and Turkiye (in particular) would have felt disappointed.

Answer: Folarin Balogun (USA)

In a low scoring group, the USA's Folarin Balogun was the only multiple scorer. His two goals both came on the opening day in his country's rout of Paraguay. Equal with Balogun was own goals! Paraguay's Damian Bobadilla scored for the USA (the first goal of the group after seven minutes) and in the next match Cameron Burgess of Australia also scored for the USA, after 11 minutes.
All other goal scorers managed no more than one.

Answer: USA

Hosts USA ruled this category with eight, followed by last placed Turkiye with three, whilst Australia and Paraguay managed just two goals each.

Answer: Turkey

In a very tight group, last placed Turkiye let in five, one more than group winners USA and Paraguay with four, while Australia's progression was based on their defence, only allowing two against.