USMNT Faces Paraguay in Historic World Cup Opener Amid Political and Public Scrutiny
The United States Men’s National Team begins its 2026 campaign against Paraguay in Los Angeles, following an opening ceremony and a congratulatory call from the President, while public interest remains divided by high ticket costs and competing sports narratives.
The United States Men’s National Team is set to face Paraguay in the Group D opener of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday evening. This fixture marks the first World Cup match hosted on US soil since 1994, a milestone that arrives amid a complex landscape of political engagement and mixed public sentiment. The game follows the tournament’s third opening ceremony, which featured performances by Katy Perry, Anitta, Lisa, Future, and Tyla, aiming to showcase the host nation’s cultural diversity.
Prior to the match, US head coach Mauricio Pochettino received a congratulatory phone call from President Donald Trump. The call was facilitated on Thursday night by Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup. In a message shared via social media by US Soccer, Trump told Pochettino: "I just called to say you're a fantastic guy, a fantastic coach... I think you've got a really good chance of going all the way." Pochettino responded with thanks for the support.
The United States enters the tournament with momentum, having won their last four friendlies. The confirmed starting lineup for the US includes Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun. The squad blends experienced European-based talent with emerging MLS stars, seeking to prove the nation's standing on the global stage.
Paraguay, ranked 69th in the world, presents a significant challenge. Their starting lineup features Orlando Gill, Omar Alderete, Juan Jose Caceres, Junior Alonso, Gustavo Gomez, Diego Gomez, Miguel Almiron, Andres Cubas, Damian Bobadilla, Antonio Sanabria, and Julio Enciso. The two nations have met three times in competitive matches, with the US holding a 2-1 record, including a 3-0 victory in World Cup qualifying in 2021.
Despite the high-profile nature of the event, public engagement in the US remains uneven. Polls indicate that half of Americans are indifferent to the tournament, citing high ticket prices and lower awareness compared to concurrent domestic sports events like the NBA Finals. Over 70,000 supporters are expected at SoFi Stadium, providing a test of whether US soccer can capture the nation's imagination beyond the political and ceremonial spotlight.
