Predicted Lineups: Friday 26 June

Four matches. Eight teams. Every group stage place still to be settled. Here are our predicted starting XIs for Friday 26 June at the 2026 tournament, built from confirmed squads and the latest form data.

Türkiye v USA

The key selection question for the USA is straightforward and brutal: who fills the void left by Christian Pulišić, reported to be unavailable through injury and by far the most dangerous creative force in Gregg Berhalter's side?

Türkiye (4-2-3-1)

Türkiye have no injury concerns and no reason to deviate from the XI that faced this same opponent. We expect the 4-2-3-1 to remain intact, with Arda Güler pulling the strings behind Baris Yilmaz and Kenan Yildiz continuing to threaten from the left channel.

USA (4-1-2-3)

With Pulišić gone, we expect Giovanni Reyna to step into a more central creative role and Brenden Aaronson to hold the left flank. The rest of the XI picks itself: Turner in goal, the same back four, McKennie anchoring, and Ricardo Pepi leading the line. Tim Adams would be the natural candidate to add more defensive cover in midfield if Berhalter decides the Pulišić loss forces a shape tweak, but we back the coach to keep the 4-1-2-3 and trust Reyna to carry the creative load.

The biggest selection doubt is whether Berhalter rolls the dice with Folarin Balogun through the middle to inject fresh attacking energy, but Pepi's hold-up play in a must-result game makes him the safer call.

Paraguay v Australia

Paraguay must replace Miguel Almirón, their most technically gifted midfielder, while Australia may be without defender J. Italiano, with reported concerns over his availability putting pressure on their three-man backline.

Paraguay (5-4-1)

Almirón's absence is a genuine blow. We expect Daniel Bobadilla or Braian Ojeda to be the coach's options for that slot, but the shape itself stays as a 5-4-1 because it has given Paraguay defensive stability. We have kept the Enciso-Gómez-Cubas-Galarza midfield band and promoted Enciso to fill the creative gap Almirón leaves, with Bobadilla the most likely direct replacement if the coach wants a like-for-like profile. We have kept the XI unchanged aside from removing Almirón and inserting Enciso into the left midfield role, with Bobadilla on the bench ready to influence from there.

Australia (3-4-3)

Should J. Italiano be unavailable, Australia's back three needs a reshuffle. Craig Burgess is the most natural cover, but we back Graham Arnold to promote Burgess into the XI only if a direct positional swap is needed. Looking at the available defenders, Circati, Souttar, and Herrington remain the best available three-centre combination in the squad, so we hold that line. The rest of the 3-4-3 stays as it was, with Metcalfe and Irankunda providing width and Volpato operating as the advanced playmaker.

The biggest x-factor for Australia is whether Apostolos Geria gets a run at wing-back given Behich's fitness load across the tournament, but we back Behich to start.

Senegal v Iraq

Senegal forced into a potential goalkeeper change with Édouard Mendy reported as unavailable, with a goalkeeper change likely if he cannot feature.

Senegal (4-2-3-1)

With Mendy out, the goalkeeping berth goes to Yassine Diouf, the most experienced of the two remaining options ahead of M. Diaw. The outfield XI stays as it was against Norway: Koulibaly and Niakhaté at centre-back, Idrissa Gueye and Pape Gueye protecting them, and Sadio Mané and Nicolas Jackson providing the attacking threat. Senegal are in poor form, three defeats in their last four, so Aliou Cissé could be tempted to give Iliman Ndiaye a starting berth in place of Lamine Camara to add creativity, but we hold the previous XI and note that as the one potential change to watch.

Iraq (4-1-4-1)

Iraq have no reported injuries and we expect Radhi Shenaishil to name the same XI that started against France, with Ahmed Basil in goal, the same defensive four, and Zidane Iqbal continuing in central midfield alongside Ismaeel. Aymen Hussein leads the line. We have replaced the placeholder A. Hashem with Mustafa Saadoun, the most likely available centre-back from the squad to complete that defensive pairing.

The key x-factor is Ali Al Hamadi: Iraq's most direct attacking option is on the bench here but could change this game from a wide position if introduced.

Norway v France

Norway v France is the match of the day and possibly the group stage decider: two in-form sides, Erling Haaland against the best defence in the tournament, and no injuries for either coach to worry about.

Norway (4-3-3)

Norway are on a five-game unbeaten run, with four wins in their last five. Ståle Solbakken has no reason to change anything. The 4-3-3 with Ødegaard, Berge, and Aursnes in a three-man midfield and Haaland through the centre has been the formula all tournament. Sørloth drops to the right wing to support, giving Norway both width and a second striker option. Oscar Bobb could push for a start on the right if Solbakken wants more direct pace, but we expect Sørloth to hold his place.

France (4-2-3-1)

France have no injuries and four wins from their last five. Didier Deschamps names the same XI that dismantled Iraq: Maignan behind a Koundé-Upamecano-Saliba-Digne back four, Koné and Rabiot as the double pivot, and Dembélé, Olise, and Barcola supplying Mbappé. N'Golo Kanté is the one player who could push Rabiot out of the XI on current form, but we back continuity from a team with genuine momentum.

The biggest selection doubt across the whole match is whether Deschamps rotates at all, given France's squad depth and the group stage schedule. We say no: Deschamps plays to win and this XI is his strongest.

This article was researched and drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team.