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United States vs Paraguay — World Cup 2026 Group · Matchday 1

United States flagUnited States
05days
00hrs
53min
54sec
Paraguay flagParaguay
Venue to be confirmed·

Match preview / What to expect

Updated Jun 6, 2026

Co-hosts the United States open their home World Cup against Paraguay in Los Angeles, with two of their three group games on the West Coast. Mauricio Pochettino named his squad on May 26 and a recent friendly win over Senegal — with Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun both starring — restored confidence after heavy spring defeats to Belgium and Portugal.

This is a classic tempo clash. The USMNT want to play on the front foot in front of their own fans; Paraguay, under Gustavo Alfaro, grind matches down rather than open them up. Paraguay's compact, physical structure could make this an uncomfortable, low-event evening for the hosts.

Home advantage is real, but so is the pressure. The US need a fast start to settle nerves in an open-looking Group D. Expect the Americans to see plenty of the ball against a side happy to defend deep and strike on transitions and set pieces.

Key storylines

  1. 01Co-hosts at home: two of three USA group games are in Los Angeles — a genuine tactical edge.
  2. 02Pochettino's first World Cup test after a mixed run of spring friendlies.
  3. 03Pulisic and Balogun: the attacking axis that fired in the warm-up win over Senegal.
  4. 04Alfaro's Paraguay: structured, stubborn and awkward — built to frustrate.
  5. 05Open group: with Australia and Turkey alongside, a strong opener could shape the section.

Prediction

Kickoff editorial call

Backed by a home crowd, the USA should find a way through. Projected: United States 1-0 Paraguay in a cagey, low-scoring opener.

Projected lineups

Projected XI — not confirmed
United States flag

United States

Formation 4-3-3
  1. 1Matt Turner (GK)
  2. 2Sergino Dest
  3. 3Chris Richards
  4. 4Tim Ream
  5. 5Antonee Robinson
  6. 6Tyler Adams
  7. 7Weston McKennie
  8. 8Yunus Musah
  9. 9Christian Pulisic
  10. 10Folarin Balogun
  11. 11Timothy Weah
Paraguay flag

Paraguay

Formation 4-4-2
  1. 1Roberto Fernandez (GK)
  2. 2Agustin Sandez
  3. 3Gustavo Gomez
  4. 4Omar Alderete
  5. 5Juan Caceres
  6. 6Andres Cubas
  7. 7Mathias Villasanti
  8. 8Diego Gomez
  9. 9Miguel Almiron
  10. 10Antonio Sanabria
  11. 11Julio Enciso

Team news

United States flag

United States

  • Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun both impressed in the warm-up win over Senegal.
  • Chris Richards has grown into a dependable Premier League centre-back at Crystal Palace this cycle.
  • Spring friendly losses to Belgium (5-2) and Portugal (2-0) leave questions over defensive resilience.
Paraguay flag

Paraguay

  • Paraguay beat Greece 1-0 in March before a 2-1 loss to Morocco, showing both structure and attacking limits.
  • Gustavo Gomez and Omar Alderete anchor a physical, set-piece-savvy back line.
  • Miguel Almiron and Julio Enciso carry the threat in transition.

Sources

Preview is editorial. Projected lineups are not confirmed team sheets.

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