The United States men’s national team opens their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Paraguay in a Group D World Cup opener at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Friday, June 12.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side enter as the host nation, carrying the weight of a home crowd and the expectation of a deep tournament run.
There is genuine history underpinning this fixture. Los Guaraníes last graced a World Cup stage in 2010, when they reached the quarterfinals before falling to Spain – a run that remains the high-water mark for Paraguayan football. Sixteen years on, they return for their eighth World Cup appearance with plenty to prove and very little margin for error.
Pochettino has built his USMNT around a genuine collection of European-based talent. Christian Pulisic headlines the attack, with Folarin Balogun alongside him as a constant threat in behind. The USMNT enter as slight betting favorites at around +105 moneyline – a fair reflection of their quality at home.
For Paraguay, the attacking blueprint runs through Julio Enciso, whose pace and directness make him their most dangerous weapon. The Brighton forward is listed as a doubt with a muscle injury, and his availability – or absence – could significantly shape how Los Guaraníes approach the game.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of USA vs Paraguay, including TV channels, live stream options, kick-off times, and crucial team news.
USA vs Paraguay Kick-Off Time
The match is scheduled for Friday, June 12, 2026, with kickoff set for 9:00 PM Eastern Time from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
| Time Zone | Kick-Off Time |
| Local Time (Los Angeles / PDT) | 6:00 PM |
| Eastern Time (US / EDT) | 9:00 PM |
| Central Time (US / CDT) | 8:00 PM |
| British Summer Time (UK / BST) | 2:00 AM (Saturday, June 13) |
| Paraguay Time (PYT) | 10:00 PM |
| India Standard Time (IST) | 6:30 AM (Saturday, June 13) |
| Australia Eastern (AEST) | 11:00 AM (Saturday, June 13) |
USA vs Paraguay TV Channel and Live Stream: How to Watch Around the World
Broadcasters have locked in their coverage details to make sure you don’t miss a single minute of this Group D opener. Here is how to watch USA vs Paraguay live stream and on TV wherever you are.
United States
English and Spanish-language coverage is both widely available across linear and streaming platforms for this USMNT World Cup 2026 opener.
- TV Channels: FOX (English); Telemundo/Universo (Spanish)
- Live Streams: FOX Sports App / FOX One (English); Peacock en Español; FuboTV
United Kingdom
UK viewers can catch the action across both major free-to-air broadcasters, with full streaming options available.
- TV Channels: BBC One / ITV1
- Live Streams: BBC iPlayer / ITVX
Canada
Canadian viewers have multiple options across English and French markets.
- TV Channels: TSN / CTV2
- Live Streams: Crave
Australia
SBS holds broadcast rights in Australia for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- TV Channels: SBS
- Live Streams: SBS On Demand
India
Indian viewers can access the match for free through JioCinema’s streaming platform.
- TV Channels: Sports18
- Live Streams: JioCinema (free)
USA vs Paraguay Team News & Predicted Lineups
Both managers have been putting the final touches on their squads following their pre-tournament preparations. The USMNT reported no significant injury concerns heading into the opener, while Paraguay face a genuine selection dilemma in attack.
USA Team News
Pochettino is expected to deploy a back three, with Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson providing width from wing-back positions. Miles Robinson and Tim Ream are set to anchor the defensive unit in front of whichever goalkeeper gets the nod – the competition between Matt Freese and Matt Turner remains unresolved heading into kickoff.
In midfield, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie provide the engine room, with Malik Tillman likely supporting from a more advanced position. Pulisic and Balogun give the Stars and Stripes genuine world-class threat in the final third – a combination that caused Paraguay problems in the sides’ 2-1 friendly win late last year, when Giovanni Reyna starred.
- USA Predicted XI (3-4-3): Freese; Dest, Robinson (M), Ream; Robinson (A), Adams, McKennie, Tillman; Pulisic, Balogun, Weah
Paraguay Team News
Enciso’s fitness is the defining question for Paraguay. The Brighton attacker sustained a muscle injury in a warm-up fixture against Nicaragua and is officially listed as a doubt – without him, Los Guaraníes lose their most dynamic one-on-one threat in the final third.
If Enciso is ruled out, the burden shifts heavily onto Miguel Almiron, Diego Gomez, and Kaku to create from midfield for Antonio Sanabria. At the back, Omar Alderete of Sunderland will need to organize a defensive line that protects 38-year-old goalkeeper Gatito Fernandez, whose experience is an asset but whose age will be tested by the intensity of a World Cup opener.
- Paraguay Predicted XI (4-4-2): Fernandez; Rojas, Alderete, Balbuena, Espinoza; Kaku, Gomez, Almiron, Enciso (if fit); Sanabria, Romero
What Is at Stake in USA vs Paraguay?
The expanded 48-team format means more teams reach the knockout rounds, but Matchday 1 results still carry disproportionate weight. An early stumble can force a team to chase results rather than control their own destiny through the group stage. Group D World Cup odds reflect tight competition, with every point carrying serious implications across all three matchdays.
With further Group D fixtures to come, neither side can afford to concede ground in the opener. A loss here leaves a team facing must-win scenarios under elevated pressure, in front of crowds that will be increasingly unforgiving as the stakes rise.
For the USMNT, dropping points at home – at SoFi Stadium, in front of a nation watching its second-ever home World Cup – would instantly invite scrutiny that Pochettino cannot afford. For Paraguay, returning to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2010 with even a single point against the host nation would be a platform-defining result, and the motivation Los Guaraníes will carry onto the pitch should not be underestimated. Our supercomputer’s betting picks and predictions for USA vs Paraguay break down every angle if you’re looking to get involved.
