USMNT VS Paraguay: Group D 2026 World Cup Opener

When: Friday, June 12th, 2026, at 9:00 PM CT

Where: Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood (SoFi Stadium)

How to Watch/Stream: Fox Sports 

The United States Men’s National Team returns to the world’s biggest stage as host for the first time since 1994. This time the FIFA World Cup is coming to the Heart of the US, the Soccer Capital of America.

But for this game preview, we will head 1,540 miles southwest from Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead), where the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) opens its 2026 World Cup campaign in Los Angeles.

The USMNT comes into the World Cup off a 2-1 loss to the German National Team in Chicago over this past weekend. Germany struck early when Arsenal forward Kai Havertz opened the scoring in the second minute. After the goal, the USMNT found a way to control the momentum and create some opportunities for themselves, looking like the more dangerous team through the first 45 minutes. Their efforts paid off in the 37th minute when Antonee “Jedi” Robinson volleyed home a corner kick from the edge of the penalty area.

Unfortunately for the U.S., they would fall to the Germans in Chi Town via a Leroy Sane goal. While this result did not go the way of the Americans, it saw a lot of positive momentum going into one of the most vital World Cups for the U.S.

Group D

Before we get into the USMNT’s first game against Paraguay on Friday, let us look at the group they find themselves in and what it takes to get out of the group. Each group is made up of four teams that will play a round robin tournament, which for this group is made up of the USA, Paraguay, Turkey, and Australia. A top two finish guarantees advancement to the knockout stage. Even eight of the 12 third place teams will advance to the Round of 32 in this expanded World Cup field.

On paper, this group features some of the top or rising stars in the game and notable coaches.

• USA – Led by Mauricio Pochettino and featuring AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic
• Paraguay – managed by Gustavo Alfaro and featuring Ligue 1 side Strasbourg’s Julio Enciso
• Turkey – led by Vincenzo Montella and featuring Real Madrid Youngster Arda Guler
• Australia – managed by Tony Popovic and featuring FC St. Pauli’s Jackson Irvine

Timelines Leading to the World Cup

On October 10, 2017, the USMNT found themselves in Trinidad and Tobago living their worst nightmare, falling 2-1 and missing the 2018 World Cup. For the Americans, this was a complete and utter embarrassment, Paraguay experienced an even longer drought. The South American nation missed four consecutive World Cups. In the 2022 Qualifiers, they collected just sixteen points in eighteen matches.

For the USMNT, the 2022 World Cup seemed as if they were finally on the rise, getting back to the Round of sixteen, where they lost to, at the time, the number eight team in the world, the Netherlands. But then in 2024, it seemed they had taken multiple steps backwards when they crashed out of the Copa America in the group stage. They collected three points and just three goals, losing to Uruguay and Panama.

As for Paraguay in the 2024 Copa America, they also crashed out in the group stage, where they lost all three of their matches to Brazil, Colombia, and Costa Rica.

Following the tournament, both nations turned to new leadership. The United States hired Mauricio Pochettino, while Paraguay appointed Gustavo Alfaro. As for Alfaro’s side, he took over after the team started with just one goal through the first third of their qualifiers. But after his takeover, they would beat Argentina and Brazil and qualify with a game to spare.

Match-Up History

The last time these two nations faced off was on November 15, 2025, when the United States earned a 2-1 victory. Goals from Giovanni Reyna in the fourth minute for the USMNT, and an equalizer in the 10th minute by Alex Arce. Then, the eventual game-winning goal in the 71st minute by USMNT forward Florian Balogun.

This friendly saw Paraguay at its full force line-up with their top players, while the USMNT were missing the likes of Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, and Chris Richards. All of those players are on the World Cup roster for the United States.

But on June 12, 2026, both teams will be looking to write a narrative for themselves. For Maricio Pochettino’s side, it will hopefully be their introduction to being one of the best teams in the World, trying to erase the 2018 and 2024 narratives. As for Paraguay, it will be their return to the biggest stage, where they will try to solidify themselves as a top team in CONMEBOL once more after a 16-year hiatus from the World Cup.

USA Lineup and Predictions

The USMNT line-up has been a talking point in the national media for a while, and going into their opening match against Paraguay, I do not foresee many changes to the side that fell to the Germans on Saturday, 2 to 1. If Chris Richards is healthy and available, this USMNT could cause problems. He says he’s “ready.”

My prediction for the USMNT’s starting line-up (4-2-3-1): In goal will be Matt Freese, with Captain Tim Ream (though Mark McKenzie would be my choice). Chris Richards will be beside him, and then with Jedi Robison on the left side and Alex Freeman on the right side, rounding out the back line.

In the midfield, we will see Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Malik Tillman as the 10 (attacking mid). With Christian Pulisic and Sergino Dest on the wing, and Florian Balogun rounding it out as the true nine.

Now, how will this game play out? I think it all will depend on how Christian Pulisic plays and the backline holds up. Tim Ream for me is a big question mark as he is aging and it is showing, but with him being named captain he will play a lot of minutes for the USMNT in the World.

Throughout Pulisic’s career, he has been known for stretches of brilliance mixed with periods of inconsistency. But he had two good showings in the last two friendlies against Senegal and Germany. Against the African side he played free, created chances, and scored a goal and added an assist.

Prediction: USMNT win 3-1

Goalscorers:

• Christian Pulisic
• Florian Balogun
• Gio Reyna
• Julio Enciso (Paraguay)