Who: USA vs Paraguay
Content: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D matches
Location: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, California
Date and time: Friday, 6pm local time (Saturday 01:00 GMT)
How to follow: Get everything ready on Al Jazeera Sports from 22:00 GMT ahead of the live text commentary stream.
For the first time in more than 30 years, the United States will play in the Soccer World Cup, hosting familiar foe Paraguay in the 2026 tournament opener.
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With tens of thousands of fans cheering from the stands and millions watching at home, the pressure is on for the United States to live up to expectations.
Less than three points against a South American opponent could affect the United States’ prospects for a better than the last 16 at their 1994 home World Cup.
Will Donald Trump attend the U.S.-Paraguay game?
Before the game begins on the field at SoFi Stadium, cameras will be looking for a VIP in the stands: U.S. President Donald Trump.
Paraguayan President Santiago Pena announced he would travel to Los Angeles for the match, but President Trump’s attendance at the first match of the 2026 World Cup on American soil has not yet been confirmed.
The opening game of the tournament is usually attended by the host country’s president and head of state, but this year’s World Cup will be the largest in history, with 48 teams and 104 games played.
USA: Strong hitting power, but cracks on the back
Forward Christian Pulisic, nicknamed “Captain America,” is the U.S. team’s marquee player. With 33 goals in 88 appearances, he is a mainstay in the attack and has the invaluable ability to create and finish chances.
Until last week, the 27-year-old AC Milan star was on a goal drought stretching back to the end of 2024, but fans were relieved to see him score one goal and add another in a pre-World Cup friendly against Senegal.
Pulisic’s strong performance could determine how far the United States, which has the upper hand as the highest-ranked team in the group (17th place), advances in this tournament.
Apart from the playmakers, the Americans’ dangerous attack also features the versatile Weston McKennie and forward Folarin Balogun, while midfielder Malik Tillman is another player to keep an eye on.
The U.S. is blessed with talent at the top of the pitch, but there are some cracks at the back.
The U.S. has kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 games and have conceded 11 goals in their last four. Inexperienced goaltender Matt Freeze may have to work harder than his outfield teammates.
This year’s tournament will be the 12th appearance for the U.S. team, with their best result to date being third place in the 1930 World Cup, where 18 teams participated.
Pay attention to Paraguay’s solid defense
Unlike the United States, Paraguay’s strength lies in its defense.
Paraguay is the lowest ranked team in this group (41st), but they have a strong backline and will try to slow down the American attack.
However, the Paraguayans have a hard time scoring points.
Gustavo Alfaro’s side may find it difficult to find the back of the net after scoring 14 goals in 18 games in World Cup qualifying and with attack mainstay Julio Enciso injured.
Co-host United States did not have to qualify for the tournament, but Paraguay had to go through the grueling CONMEBOL route and finish last of South America’s six automatic qualifiers.
La Albirroja, which means “white and red” in Spanish, will be returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2010, when they lost to eventual champions Spain in the quarterfinals.
How will the World Cup group stage be played?
Group D includes the United States, Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye.
The top two teams in each of the 12 groups and the top eight teams in third place advance to the next stage, the Round of 32, which was first introduced at the World Cup.
Where can I watch the World Cup match between USA and Paraguay?
Fans in the U.S. can watch the game on Universo, Telemundo App, Fox One, Fox, Tubi, Telemundo Network, Telexitos and Peacock. Kickoff is Friday at 9pm ET.
In Paraguay, TyC International BV and Nacion Media have the rights to televise and live stream the match, which is scheduled to begin at 10pm local time on Friday.
UK viewers can watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
USA vs. Paraguay predictions
Statistics provider Opta Analyst gives the U.S. a 40.1 percent chance of winning against Paraguay and a 33.3 percent odds of victory.
The probability that a match will end in a draw is 26.6%.
Form guide:
(Last 5 games, newest first)
USA: LWLLW
Paraguay: WWWWL
Paraguay defeated Nicaragua in a warm-up game last week and has outperformed the United States in their past five games. They defeated Greece in a friendly in March, and defeated tournament co-host Mexico last November.
In preparation for the World Cup, the United States defeated Senegal in a friendly, but lost to Germany. They also lost to Portugal and Belgium in March, but won against Uruguay in November.
USA vs Paraguay: Head to head results
Friday’s matchup will be the 10th meeting between the two teams.
So far, the United States has won five games, Paraguay has won two games, and two games have been tied.
The North Americans have won three consecutive games against the South Americans, including a 2-1 win in a friendly last November.
The two teams met in the first World Cup in 1930, with the United States winning the game.
Team news: Enciso travels to Paraguay
Before the tournament, Paraguay suffered a major blow when Enciso, their main attacker, was forced to miss the first match due to a thigh injury sustained in the friendly win against Nicaragua.
Enciso, who was a regular starter in Paraguay’s World Cup qualifiers, was seen crying as he was carried off the field on a stretcher during the first half of the South American national team’s final warm-up match on June 6.
In his absence, Paraguay will rely on midfielder Diego Gomez to create chances or score goals.
U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino has no injury concerns or questions.
US predicted XI
Paraguay predict eleven
Al Jazeera’s dedicated FIFA World Cup 2026 page keeps you up to date with all the latest news, match developments and live text commentary, as well as group standings, real-time results and schedules.
