USMNT Faces Paraguay in 2026 FIFA World Cup Opener

The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) faces Paraguay in its first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 12, 2026. The game will take place at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m. PT.

What happened

The USMNT’s starting lineup against Paraguay includes goalkeeper 24-Matt Freese and players 2-Sergiño Dest, 3-Chris Richards, and 10-Christian Pulisic. The team’s average age is 27, with a total of 46 international caps. Coach Mauricio Pochettino made one change from the lineup against Germany, bringing back Chris Richards after injury. Five players will make their World Cup debuts: Folarin Balogun, Alex Freeman, Matt Freese, and Malik Tillman. Pulisic stated, “This team is ready to showcase our talent on the world stage.”

Why it matters

A strong performance against Paraguay is crucial for the USMNT to bolster its standing in international soccer. Historically, the USMNT holds a record of five wins, two losses, and two draws against Paraguay. Tim Ream becomes the oldest player at 38 years old to play for the USMNT in a World Cup match, providing valuable experience as the team aims for a successful tournament.

Background

The USMNT last faced Paraguay on May 27, 2026, winning 2-1 in Chester, Pennsylvania, with Balogun scoring the decisive goal. This victory has contributed to positive momentum leading into the World Cup. The USMNT has won its last three encounters with Paraguay, including a 1-0 result at the Copa America Centenario in June 2016.

What's next

After the match against Paraguay, the USMNT will prepare for another World Cup matchup on June 16, 2026. Fans can support the team on social media and through broadcasts on FOX, Telemundo, and Peacock.