Socceroos far from a World Cup 'group of death' against United States, Paraguay and a European qualifier

We still don't know the identities of all 48 qualifiers for the World Cup — and that won't be revealed until March — but we know enough to have a solid idea of the challenge facing Australia and coach Tony Popovic.

The World Cup draw in Washington means Australia's two locked-in opponents are co-hosts United States and seasoned South Americans, Paraguay, plus a yet-to-be-determined European qualifier. Australia's group games will be held in Vancouver (vs the qualifier), Seattle (vs United States) and Santa Clara, near San Francisco (vs Paraguay).

Nothing is guaranteed, but Popovic's men will not fear any of their opponents in Group D.

The United States will go in as strong favourites to win the group, given their world ranking of 14, their undoubted home support and their recent strong form, with wins over Uruguay (5-1), group opponents Paraguay (2-1), the Socceroos themselves (2-1) and Australia's Asian confederation rivals Japan (2-0).

The hosts are far from unbeatable, however, as proven by their losses to Mexico (2-1) and South Korea (2-0), plus a draw with Ecuador (1-1) just in the last six months.

The other factor is the level of pressure and expectation that will come with being the hosts. The last time the US held a World Cup, in 1994, they advanced from the group stage as one of the best third-placed teams. The US then lost to Brazil 1-0 in the round of 16. More will be expected of coach Mauricio Pochettino and his team this time around.

Australia's loss to the US in Denver in October had its moments, notably Jordan Bos's well-taken goal and the vulnerability of the American defence. But they were outplayed over the 90 minutes and won't want to be on the defensive quite so much next year — a little more hit and a little less run, perhaps.

Paraguay took the sixth and final automatic qualifying spot in CONMEBOL (South America), although only goal difference separated them from five-time World Cup champions Brazil, Uruguay and Colombia.

A look at the for and against gives a hint as to La Albirroja's approach. They had the third-lowest goals scored (14 from 18 games) and the joint-second best defence (10 goals conceded).

So the Socceroos can expect a typically tight, physical encounter with Gustavo Alfaro's side, and a point or three is definitely possible here.

Of the possible qualifiers — Türkiye, Slovakia, Kosovo and Romania — all have potential.

Slovakia beat Germany at home in the European group stage, while Türkiye drew with Spain in Seville and Kosovo's only loss in qualifying was a 4-0 defeat to Switzerland away.

The Socceroos' absolute minimum goal will be third place, and if they can take all three points from their opening game against the qualifiers in Vancouver, then anything is possible.

If Australia can finish runner-up in the group, they would face the runner-up in Group G in the round of 32, with Belgium, Iran and Egypt the main possibilities.

Success there, and a likely rematch with Lionel Messi and Argentina awaits for a place in the quarterfinals.

A third-place finish, if it's enough to advance, would set up a likely round of 32 clash with Kylian Mbappe's France or Germany.

The main takeaway from this draw is one of possibilities — and of greater challenges avoided.

Popovic and Co may not say it, but they have done well to avoid Pot 1 giants like Spain, Argentina, Brazil, France and England, not to mention Norway in Pot 3 with superstar striker Erling Haaland keen to make a mark on his first World Cup.

And even the other options from Pot 4, including potential big-name qualifiers like Italy and Poland.

This isn't the perfect draw for Australia. But compared to previous World Cups, where the Socceroos have been drawn with the likes of France, Germany, Netherlands and Spain (including the latter two together in 2014), this is far from a "group of death".

Now all they have to do is mould the right combination over the next few months, and then come out next June and deliver.