USA vs Paraguay match preview
The United States begins its 2026 World Cup campaign on Friday against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
With Australia and Turkey also competing in the qualifiers, neither team can afford a slow start, and three points in the opening game would give their hopes of reaching the knockout stages a huge boost.
As one of the hosts of the tournament, the USA has been preparing for almost two years under Mauricio Pochettino after booking a place in the finals. Expectations are high for the Americans, who will be hoping their home support can help them enjoy another run at soccer’s biggest stage.
The Stars and Stripes will enter the tournament after mixed results in their warm-up matches. Senegal’s impressive 3-2 victory showed their attacking prowess, but this was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Germany.
Pochettino’s team will compete in the 12th World Cup and will aim to at least reach the last 16 stage which they reached when they hosted the tournament in 1994.
Paraguay come in with very little outside expectations but could prove to be dangerous foes. Gustavo Alfaro guided La Albirroja back to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 after finishing sixth in the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
One of the highlights of their qualifying campaign was an unforgettable 2-1 win over world champions Argentina.
The South Americans were beaten 2-1 by the USA in a friendly last November, but have bounced back since then, winning three of their last four games.
USA vs Paraguay team news
The USA is expected to go with three defenders, and captain Tim Ream will be the one to drive the defense system.
Chris Richards has recently returned to training following an ankle injury, meaning Miles Robinson and Mark McKenzie are fighting for a place with 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 provide intelligence behind striker Folarin Balogun.
Balogun enjoyed another productive campaign at club level, scoring 19 goals in all competitions, while Pulisic remains the team’s leading striker heading into the tournament.
Paraguay’s success during qualifying has been built on their defensive prowess, with defenders Gustavo Gomez and Omar Alderrete expected to continue their partnership in the center of the back line.
Julio Enciso picked up a minor quadriceps problem against Nicaragua but is expected to be available. The attacking midfielder should join Miguel Almiron and Diego Gomez in support of striker Tonny Sanabria, who finished as Paraguay’s top scorer during the qualifiers with four goals.
Expected list for USA vs Paraguay
USA: Freeze; Freeman, M Robinson, Ream; Dest, McKennie, Adams, A Robinson; Pulisic, Tillman; The Balogun
Paraguay: Gill; Caceres, G Gomez, Alderrete, Alonso; in Bobadilla, Cubas; D Gomez, Enciso, Almiron; Sanabria
Where to watch USA vs Paraguay: TV channel, live streaming online
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 local time in Los Angeles on Friday, and 02:00 Saturday morning for those watching in the UK.
The game will be broadcast live on BBC 1, and UK viewers will be able to access it online via BBC Iplayer.
Statistics USA vs Paraguay
- The USA will appear in the 12th FIFA World Cup.
- The Americans have reached the knockout stage in their last three World Cup appearances.
- The USA reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2002, their best finish in modern times.
- Mauricio Pochettino’s side beat Paraguay 2-1 in a friendly in November 2025.
- The United States beat Senegal 3-2 while preparing for the World Cup.
- Paraguay will compete in the final of the ninth World Cup.
- La Albirroja played very well in the 2010 World Cup when they reached the quarter-finals.
- Paraguay secured a remarkable 2-1 win over Argentina in the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
- Tony Sanabria scored the most goals for Paraguay in the qualifiers with four goals.
- Paraguay has won three of its last four games heading into this tournament.
USA vs Paraguay Prediction
Paraguay’s defensive prowess should make this a competitive game, but the USA has a high level of attack and the advantage of playing on home soil.
Pochettino’s side may not have everything going their way, but they are in a good position to start their World Cup campaign with a win.
Prediction: USA 2-1 Paraguay
