Preview: USA vs Paraguay prediction, odds, where to watch, time | FIFA World Cup 2026

Can America’s golden generation replicate 1930 heroics against Paraguay after 96 years in the World Cup opener on home soil?

Anchored in the coastal basin of Southern California, the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, USA, gears up to host the opening match week fixture in Group D of the FIFA World Cup 2026, featuring hosts USA and Paraguay, who are back at the biggest stage after 16 long years.

The most anticipated moment in the history of American football is here as the golden generation of USA players are all set to kickstart their World Cup campaign on home soil.

Unlike other teams, the USA did not have to go through a gruelling qualification process in CONCACAF, giving ample time for Pochettino to build a competitive squad that would be keen to match at least their Round of 16 run in 1994, when they played the World Cup on home soil.

Boys are buzzing. pic.twitter.com/hIQm89Q8aG

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 10, 2026

The majority of their players play in top European leagues, and they are coming after a recent 2-1 defeat to Germany in the last friendly after beating Senegal 3-2 in the first friendly.

After finishing sixth in the CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifiers, La Albirroja are all set to make their ninth appearance in the FIFA World Cup after a long wait of nearly one and a half decades.

Ranked 41 in the latest FIFA ranking, Paraguay have built a resilient defence and are incredibly difficult to beat. The last time Paraguay faced the USA in the World Cup was back in 96 years ago in 1930, when Bert Patenaude scored a hat-trick in just 50 minutes to win it 3-0 for the USA.

They are led by the legendary Gustavo Alfaro, who is the third Argentine coach to lead Paraguay in the World Cup. He has previously guided Ecuador to the FIFA World Cup 2022 and will be hopeful of a major upset against the hosts in the opening match week of the World Cup 2026.

Kick-off:

• Location: Inglewood, California, USA
• Stadium: Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium)
• Date: Friday, June 12
• Kick-off time: 2 a.m. BST [6:30 a.m. IST, Saturday, June 13 / 9 p.m. ET, Friday, June 12]
• Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
• VAR: Carlos Del Cerro Grande (Spain)

Form:

USA (in all competitions): W-L-L-W-L

Paraguay (in all competitions): L-W-W-L-W

Players to Watch

Folarin Balogun (USA)

Balogun is in terrific form, coming after registering 23 goal contributions in over 40 games for AS Monaco. He was one of the best players for Sebastien Pocognoli, whose side managed to get a continental spot despite an inconsistent form. He enters the World Cup as Pochettino’s first-choice centre forward.

After growing up in London, he even represented England and the USA at youth levels before switching his allegiance to the USA completely in 2023.

Folarin Balogun made history as the first American player to score 20+ goals in a single season within Europe’s top-five leagues during his loan spell at Reims in Ligue 1.

Omar Alderete (Paraguay)

The Paraguayan defender is a rare left-footed centre-back who is coming off a brilliant season with Sunderland in the English Premier League. He has massive experience playing across domestic leagues of countries like Spain, England, Argentina, Germany and Switzerland.

After making a high-profile switch from Getafe to Sunderland, he kept 9 clean sheets and not only helped a newly promoted Sunderland to survive relegation but also secured an Europa League berth after beating Chelsea on the final matchday of the EPL.

He will be a tough nut to crack for Balogun and American forwards, and this will be his World Cup debut, where he will be keen to keep a clean sheet against the mighty Americans in the opener.

Match Facts

• These two sides last met at the 1930 FIFA World Cup, where USA won 3-0
• The last time Paraguay defeated USA was back in 2011 in a friendly game
• Bert Patenaude scored a hat-trick 96 years ago and remains the top goalscorer in this fixture.

USA vs Paraguay: Betting Tips and Odds

• USA to win the match – 19/20 with Betfred
• Folarin Balogun to score – 15/8 with Betfred
• USA 1-0 Paraguay – 5/1 with Betfred

Injury and Team News

USA FIFA World Cup squad

Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards is doubtful to start after resuming his training after an ankle injury and the American back three will most likely feature captain Ream, Robinson and Freeman.

Goalkeepers: Matt Turner, Matt Freese, Chris Brady

Defenders: Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Auston Trusty, Miles Robinson, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Max Arfsten, Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally

Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Malik Tillman

Attackers: Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Brenden Aaronson, Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas

Paraguay World Cup squad

In the last game against Nicaragua, Julio Enciso sustained a minor quadriceps injury but is expected to be fully fit for the opener against USA.

Goalkeepers: Gatito Fernández, Orlando Gill, Gastón Olveira

Defenders: Juan Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, Gustavo Velázquez, Fabián Balbuena, Júnior Alonso, Omar Alderete, José Canale, Alexandro Maidana

Midfielders: Damián Bobadilla, Andrés Cubas, Diego Gómez, Matías Galarza, Alejandro Romero Gamarra, Braian Ojeda, Maurício Magalhães, Gustavo Caballero

Attackers: Alex Arce, Miguel Almirón, Isidro Pitta, Ramón Sosa, Gabriel Ávalos, Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso

Head-to-Head

Total games: 09

USA won: 05

Paraguay won: 02

Matches drawn: 02

Predicted Lineups

USA predicted lineup (3-4-2-1)

Matt Freese (GK); Dominic Freeman, Miles Robinson, Tim Ream; Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson; Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman; Folarin Balogun

Paraguay predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Carlos Miguel Gill (GK); Blas Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, Omar Alderete, Júnior Alonso; Damián Bobadilla, Andrés Cubas; Diego Gómez, Julio Enciso, Miguel Almirón; Antonio Sanabria

Match Prediction

The USA have played quality opponents in their last five games, and their squad looks solid on paper. Also, given that their next two fixtures are against Turkiye and Australia, any hiccup in the first game could massively affect their knockout hopes. We expect the USA to secure a hard-fought, 1-0 win over a defensively resolute Paraguay.

Prediction: USA 1-0 Paraguay

Telecast Details

India: Unite8 Sports Channels, ZEE5

UK: BBC & ITV

USA: FOX Sports

Nigeria: DStv, GOtv

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