USMNT prepares for World Cup 2026 opener against Paraguay in Inglewood

The United States men’s national football team will commence its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on Friday, 12 June, hosting Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The Group D opener is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET and marks the beginning of the tournament’s expanded 48-team field. The match will be broadcast on FOX in English and Telemundo in Spanish, with live streaming available via Fubo.

Defender Chris Richards has declared himself fit for the fixture, providing a significant boost to the backline after missing more than a month with an ankle injury. Richards, who has emerged as a key leader for the squad, stated that the team is focused on internal standards rather than external expectations. He noted that the group is managing pressure by relying on their own benchmarks for performance.

Team dynamics are being shaped by the experience of players in their second World Cup. Midfielder Timothy Weah emphasised the importance of emotional balance and maintaining focus on the primary objective of starting the tournament strongly. Weah indicated that the squad is aware of how to navigate the heightened emotions of a home World Cup, aiming to avoid extremes in reaction to early results.

CBS Sports has predicted a 2-1 victory for the USMNT, citing Paraguay’s reduced attacking threat in the absence of Julio Enciso. The outlet’s analysis suggests that Mauricio Pochettino’s side will utilise the electric home crowd and pressing intensity to secure the win. Betting odds currently list the USMNT at -110, with a draw at +240 and Paraguay at +320.

The predicted USMNT lineup features Matt Freese in goal, with a defensive unit comprising Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, and Antonee Robinson. The midfield and attack are set to include Malik Tillman, Tyler Adams, Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun. Paraguay is expected to field Roberto Fernández, Juan Cáceres, Junior Alonso, Omar Alderete, Gustavo Gomez, Kaku, Alejandro Romero, Diego Gomez, Andrés Cubas, Miguel Almiron, and Antonio Sanabria.

The 2026 World Cup officially commenced on Thursday with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City. The tournament will conclude on 19 July with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. CBS Sports Golazo Network will provide comprehensive coverage, including up to 12 hours of live programming daily across its platforms.