USMNT Opens 2026 World Cup at Home vs Paraguay

Sport

By lines

June 11, 2026

The USMNT opens its 2026 World Cup against Paraguay on Friday night. The United States hosts Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET.

Pochettino’s USMNT Draws a Dangerous Paraguay Opener

Mauricio Pochettino coaches the USMNT in his first World Cup as manager. The United States enters as a betting favorite at -110 against Paraguay. Paraguay sits at +320, and the draw pays +240. FOX broadcasts the match, with a free stream on Tubi.

Pochettino took charge of the USMNT in 2024 ahead of the home World Cup. The United States carries host-nation expectations into the 2026 group stage. A deep run would mark a landmark USMNT World Cup result on home soil. Pochettino has built the United States around a young, attacking core.

Paraguay beat both Argentina and Brazil during South American World Cup qualifying. Paraguay relied on a defensive, low-block approach across that qualifying run. The United States and Paraguay share Group D with Australia and Turkiye. Group D play opens at SoFi Stadium on Friday night.

SoFi Stadium in Inglewood holds more than 70,000 fans for the match. The United States expects a heavily pro-USMNT crowd in Los Angeles. Telemundo carries the Spanish-language broadcast, with streaming on Peacock. Tubi offers the match as a free English-language stream.

The United States co-hosts the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico. Organizers scheduled 104 matches across the three host nations. A Group D win would push the United States toward the knockout round. Three points on Friday would ease pressure on Pochettino at home.

Mexico opened the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over South Africa. Mexico played that opener at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. South Korea beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in another opening match. The United States now carries opening-weekend buzz into its own debut.

Paraguay conceded few goals during a defensive South American qualifying campaign. The United States must break down a Paraguay side built to absorb pressure. Christian Pulisic offers the USMNT a creative edge from the left flank. Folarin Balogun gives the United States a focal point at center forward.

USMNT kicks off Group D play against Paraguay at 9 p.m. ET. Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun anchor the United States attack in 2026. A strong start would build belief before tougher Group D tests arrive. The United States plays its remaining group matches after the Paraguay opener. The United States then meets Australia and Turkiye later in Group D play.