CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 06: United States left back Antonee Robinson (5) celebrates his goal in action during a friendly match between the United States and Germany on June 6, 2026, at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
This time it’s for real.
The United States men’s national team opens its most anticipated World Cup campaign in a generation on Friday night when they face Paraguay to open their Group D itinerary.
Here’s everything you need to know as the Yanks try to start off with a victory and lay a foundation for a deep tournament run.
How To Watch USMNT Vs. Paraguay
Time and Venue
Friday, 9 p.m. ET | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.
TV and Streaming
Fox, Fox One (English) | Telemundo, Peacock (Spanish)
Tickets
USMNT and Paraguay Projected Lineups
USMNT Team News
Center back Chris Richards has returned to full team training after an ankle injury kept the Crystal Palace standout out of both of the Yanks’ pre-tournament friendlies. Given how porous the back line looked without him, it feels pretty certain that manager Mauricio Pochettino will slide him back into the starting lineup despite any potential fitness concerns.
Elsewhere, the two biggest questions are who will start at centerforward and at goalkeeper. While Folarin Balogun got the striker nod in the final tuneup against Germany last Saturday, Ricardo Pepi might be the better option against Paraguay given his superior ability at dropping deep and linking up play. In goal, only Freese has played a full 90 minutes during the two tuneup games, and he appears favored to get the nod even though it’s Matt Turner who has more experience.
Also, it should be noted that while the Americans are likely to play a 4-2-3-1, it can operate more like a 5-4-1 without the ball, with Sergiño Dest dropping into the wingback position.
USMNT Projected Lineup: (4-2-3-1, left to right)
Matt Freese (GK) – Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman – Malik Tillman, Tyler Adams – Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest – Ricardo Pepi
Paraguay Team News
The Albirroja absorbed one of the more consequential pre-tournament injuries when Julio Enciso went down with a thigh bruise and minor ligament injury in a tuneup against Nicaragua last Friday. While the initial scenes suggested Enciso might miss the entire tournament, follow-up reporting indicates the Atletico Madrid could be ready in time for Paraguay’s Group D finale against Australia.
Until then, Palmeiras midfielder Mauricio is the most obvious candidate to slide in on the left flank. Otherwise, Gustavo Alfaro is likely to stick with some version of a 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-2-2, as he has through most of qualifying.
Paraguay Projected Lineup: (4-2-3-1, left to right)
Gatito Fernández (GK) – Júnior Alonso, Omar Alderete, Gustavo Gómez, Juan Cáceres – Kaku, Andrés Cubas – Maurício, Miguel Almirón, Diego Gómez – Antonio Sanabria
USMNT vs. Paraguay Prediction
Put bluntly, the Americans are catching a break by facing Paraguay without Enciso, who is arguably the most talented attacker on either squad. Without him, expect Paraguay to sit deep and counter even more than they might normally in this situation.
The problem for Paraguay is that the USMNT has the right personnel to combat such tactics, particularly wide defensive players who are above-average attackers from their positions. That includes Antonee Robinson, Dest and to a lesser extent Alex Freeman.
Expect the Americans to eventually find a goal. And if they do, there will probably be a second for the taking on the counter as Paraguay looks to pull level.
Match Prediction
USA 2, Paraguay 0