USA vs Paraguay: Where to Watch the USMNT World Cup 2026 Opener
The United States begin their home World Cup against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 12. Mauricio Pochettino’s side, led by Christian Pulisic, open Group D under enormous pressure on home soil. Paraguay are back at a World Cup for the first time since 2010. Below: TV channels, kickoff times, squads, and the prediction.
USA
Host · Group D
VS
9:00 PM
ET · Jun 12
Paraguay
South America · Group D
⭐ The Big Story · Home Pressure
Pochettino names his 26 as the USA open a home World Cup
According to Al Jazeera, head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed his 26-man squad on May 26 in New York, led by Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie. The group splits evenly between 13 returnees from Qatar 2022 and 13 World Cup debutants, making it one of the youngest squads the USA has ever sent. After the friendly win over Senegal, optimism is high, but so is the weight of expectation on home soil.
This is the match the United States has been building towards for four years. As co-hosts, the USMNT did not have to qualify, which means this opener against Paraguay is the first competitive fixture that truly matters under Mauricio Pochettino, the Argentine coach who previously led Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea before taking the US job in September 2024. A nation that has never been more invested in its men’s team will pack SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, expecting three points to launch the campaign.
The two sides know each other well. Just seven months ago, in November 2025, the USA beat Paraguay 2-1 in a friendly through goals from Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun, though Pulisic sat that game out while recovering with AC Milan. Pochettino pointedly noted that the US drew Group D opponents it has faced recently: as ESPN reported, the Americans beat both Paraguay and Australia 2-1 in recent friendlies, so the knowledge is fresh.
For Paraguay, this is a long-awaited return. La Albirroja are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa. Under Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro, they are built on defensive resilience and dangerous transitions through Miguel Almirón (back at Atlanta United) and Strasbourg playmaker Julio Enciso. Captain Gustavo Gómez, the Palmeiras centre-back, marshals one of the most stubborn low blocks in the tournament. The marquee duel is clear: Pulisic’s movement against Gómez’s wall.
Quick Answer
Watch in 30 seconds
USA vs Paraguay kicks off at 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM local LA time) on Friday, June 12, 2026. In the US, watch on Fox (English) and Telemundo (Spanish), free on Tubi. In Paraguay, on Tigo Sports plus free-to-air Trece. In the UK, free on BBC iPlayer or ITVX.
Date
Fri, Jun 12
Kickoff
9:00 PM ET
Free Watch
Tubi · Trece
USA vs Paraguay Kickoff Time by Country
A 9 PM Eastern kickoff is built for a US primetime audience, landing in the evening across the Americas and the early hours in Europe.
TV Channels by Country
United States
Paraguay
United Kingdom
Canada
MENA Region
Latin America
Players to Watch in the Group D Opener
UNITED STATES
Coach: Mauricio Pochettino · Since 2024
Christian Pulisic (C)
Winger · AC Milan · Talisman, 8 Serie A goals
Tyler Adams
Midfielder · Bournemouth · Captain in 2022
Weston McKennie
Midfielder · Juventus · Box-to-box
Folarin Balogun
Striker · Monaco · 13 Ligue 1 goals
Antonee Robinson
Left back · Fulham · Elite overlap
PARAGUAY
Coach: Gustavo Alfaro · Since 2024
Gustavo Gómez (C)
Centre back · Palmeiras · Low-block titan
Miguel Almirón
Winger · Atlanta United · Main outlet on the break
Julio Enciso
Playmaker · Strasbourg · Spark between the lines
Antonio Sanabria
Striker · Cremonese · Veteran focal point
Diego Gómez
Midfielder · Brighton · Rising engine
Match Preview & Prediction
The USA are clear favourites, and not only because of home advantage. Pochettino has a genuinely talented attacking core: Pulisic drifting in from the left, Balogun and Ricardo Pepi competing to lead the line, and Tim Weah stretching defences on the right. The concern, as analysts have noted all cycle, is a thin defensive midfield and a back line that can be exposed in transition, which is exactly why Pochettino has experimented with a back three. A fast SoFi crowd and an early goal would settle the nerves.
Paraguay are the ideal awkward opponent. Alfaro has drilled them into a compact, disciplined unit that defends deep and springs forward through Almirón and Enciso. Gustavo Gómez is the kind of old-school centre-back who relishes a low-block battle, and he will look to nullify Pulisic with positioning rather than pace. If Paraguay can keep it level past the hour and frustrate the crowd, the pressure on the hosts becomes a factor of its own.
Our prediction: USA 2-0. The Americans beat this same Paraguay 2-1 just seven months ago, and at home with a full-strength Pulisic they should have enough. Expect a tight first half before US quality tells late. Pulisic anytime scorer and USA to win look the smart plays, though under 2.5 goals carries value given Paraguay’s defensive setup.
Likely Winner
🇺🇸 USA
Total Goals
Under 2.5
BTTS
No
Score
2 – 0
SoFi Stadium: The USA's World Cup Home
WC Capacity
~70,000
Opened
2020
Cost
$5.5B
WC Games
8
SoFi Stadium, designated Los Angeles Stadium for the tournament, is in Inglewood just southwest of downtown LA. Opened in 2020 at a reported cost of around 5.5 billion dollars, it is the most expensive stadium ever built and home to the NFL’s Rams and Chargers. Its vast translucent canopy roof and 4K halo videoboard make it one of the most spectacular venues in world sport, and it will stage the opening ceremony build-up for the US campaign.
SoFi hosts eight World Cup matches, the most of any US venue, including this opener and the USA’s third group game against the Group D playoff side on June 25. The Americans also travel to Seattle to face Australia on June 19. Playing two of three group games in Los Angeles gives the hosts a settled base and a partisan crowd for the matches that matter most.
A Familiar Recent Foe
The USA and Paraguay have met a handful of times, with the Americans holding the edge. Crucially, they faced each other just seven months before this World Cup opener.
3
🇺🇸 USA Wins
1
Draws
1
🇵🇾 PAR Wins
⚽ Last Meeting · November 2025
USA 2-1 Paraguay · International friendly · November 15, 2025
Goals from Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun gave the USA a 2-1 win in their most recent meeting, a friendly played just seven months before this World Cup opener. Notably, Christian Pulisic missed that game while recovering with AC Milan, so the Americans will expect to be even stronger with their captain back in the side. Paraguay will study that result closely for clues.
Odds for the Group B Opener
The USA are strong home favourites. Value sits in Pulisic anytime scorer, a US clean sheet, and under 2.5 goals given Paraguay’s deep block.
🇺🇸 USA
1.62
Draw
3.60
🇵🇾 Paraguay
5.75
18+ only. Gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org
