The United States will face Paraguay in their opening match of the World Cup.
The U.S. kicks off its 2026 World Cup campaign on Friday (Saturday if you’re in Europe), when the team faces Paraguay in Los Angeles. With Australia and Turkey also battling it out to qualify from the group, neither team can afford a slow start. Three points in the opening game will give a significant boost to their hopes of reaching the playoffs.
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As one of the tournament’s hosts, the United States has had almost two years to prepare under the leadership of Mauricio Pochettino, after they automatically qualified for the playoffs. Expectations are high for the Americans, who hope that the home crowd can help them to another long journey on football’s biggest stage.
The “Stars and Stripes” enter the tournament after mixed results in the warm-up matches. An impressive 3-2 win over Senegal showed the team’s attacking potential, but it was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Germany.
Pochettino’s team is participating in their twelfth World Cup, and they will be aiming to match at least the last eight, which they achieved when they hosted the tournament in 1994.
Paraguay comes into the championship with far less outside expectations, but the team could prove to be dangerous opponents. Gustavo Alfaro led “La Albirroja” back to the World Cup for the first time since 2010, after they secured sixth place in the CONMEBOL qualifiers. One of the highlights of the qualifiers was a memorable 2-1 win over world champions Argentina.
The South Americans lost 2-1 to the United States in a friendly last November, but they have responded positively since then, winning three of their last four games.
Team news ahead of USA vs Paraguay
The United States is expected to field a flexible back three, with experienced captain Tim Ream ready to lead the defense. Chris Richards has recently returned to training after an ankle injury, which means that Miles Robinson and Mark McKenzie are fighting for a place alongside Ream in the starting line-up.
Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman are expected to form the core of the American midfield, while captain Christian Pulisic will bring creativity behind striker Folarin Balogun. Balogun had another productive season at club level, scoring 19 goals in all competitions, while Pulisic remains the team’s most important offensive player before the championship.
Paraguay’s success in qualifying was built on the team’s defensive strength, and centre-backs Gustavo Gomez and Omar Alderete are expected to continue their collaboration at the heart of the defence. Julio Enciso suffered a minor quadriceps injury against Nicaragua, but he is expected to be fit to play. The attacking midfielder should join Miguel Almiron and Diego Gomez in supporting striker Tonny Sanabria, who finished as Paraguay’s top scorer in qualification with four goals.
Predicted USA vs. Paraguay lineups
USA: Freese; Freeman, M. Robinson, Ream; Dest, McKennie, Adams, A. Robinson; Pulisic, Tillman; Balogun
Paraguay: Gill; Caceres, G. Gomez, Alderete, Alonso; Bobadilla, Cubas; D. Gomez, Enciso, Almiron; Sanabria
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Stats ahead of USA vs Paraguay
- The United States is participating in its twelfth FIFA World Cup.
- The Americans have reached the playoffs in each of their last three World Cup participations.
- The United States reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup, which is the team’s best finish in modern times.
- Mauricio Pochettino’s team beat Paraguay 2-1 in a friendly in November 2025.
- The United States beat Senegal 3-2 in preparation for the World Cup.
- Paraguay is participating in its ninth World Cup final.
- “La Albirroja’s” best World Cup performance came in 2010, when the team reached the quarter-finals.
- Paraguay secured a remarkable 2-1 victory over Argentina during the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
- Tonny Sanabria was Paraguay’s top scorer in the qualifiers with four goals.
- Paraguay have won three of their last four games before the tournament.
Prediction for the United States vs. Paraguay
Paraguay’s defensive strength should make this a close game, but the United States have greater attacking quality and the advantage of playing at home. Pochettino’s side may not get everything they want, but they are well positioned to start their World Cup campaign with a narrow victory.
Prediction: USA 2-1 Paraguay
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