How good is Paraguay in soccer? What to know about USMNT's first opponent in 2026 World Cup

With all the preamble now complete and the tournament finally here, the United States men's soccer team will open its 2026 FIFA World Cup slate on Friday with a Group D match against Paraguay.

As Turkey and Australia wait in the wings, the U.S. will face its first South American opponent at the World Cup since they famously upset Colombia on home soil in the 1994 tournament.

Paraguay are a strong opponent, one which will require fire and focus for the USMNT to get past, but they are also not favorites against the 2026 host nation.

The Sporting News brings you a look at the first opponent for the United States of this summer's World Cup, how they stack up, and what they bring to the table.

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Is Paraguay a good team?

• FIFA world rank: 40th
• CONMEBOL rank: 6th
• Qualified via: 6th place finish in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table
• Head coach: Gustavo Alfaro
• Captain: Gustavo Gomez (89 caps)
• Notable players: Julio Enciso (Strasbourg), Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United), Diego Gomez (Brighton)

Paraguay most certainly benefited from World Cup expansion to 48 teams, barely eeking into the FIFA tournament field via the final automatic qualification spot in the CONMEBOL standings, but that does not mean they are one of the weaker sides in the competition.

Prior to the expansion, South American has one of the most ruthless World Cup qualifying tournaments in the world, with only four teams of the 10 guaranteed to reach the final competition. While 40% qualification sounds kind, two of those are realistically occupied every cycle by Brazil and Argentina, leaving strong teams to battle for just two remaining positions.

Paraguay started off qualifying poorly, but turned on the jets through the second half of the competition, picking up a point at Uruguay before beating both Brazil and Argentina at home in late 2024, a sensational run of results that proves they can match up against anyone at their best.

MORE: A closer look at Group D at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Paraguay national team strengths and weaknesses

Paraguay's best strength is its pragmatism. The Albirroja scored just 14 goals during World Cup qualifying, third-fewest of any team in the competition, but they only conceded 10, which was level with table-toppers Argentina for the second-fewest behind only second-placed Ecuador.

That could be skewed even more heavily at the beginning of their World Cup journey, as young attacking star Julio Enciso was felled by an injury in their pre-tournament friendly against Nicaragua. While he's not necessarily out of the World Cup, he is at least sidelined for the first match or two, meaning they will face the U.S. without his creative threat.

Enciso's absence leaves Paraguay with very little inspiration up front, leaving the likes of Miguel Almiron, Antonio Sanabria, and others to pick up the slack.

USMNT record vs. Paraguay

The U.S. has faced off against Paraguay seven times in history.

The U.S. has won five of those, including each of the last three. They beat Paraguay 1-0 in the 2016 Copa America, their most recent competitive meeting, and also won last November in a friendly just one month before the two were drawn into the same World Cup group.

Paraguay's last victory over the United States came by a 1-0 score in March of 2011, when the two clashed in a friendly from Nashville. Paraguay's only competitive victory over the United States came at the 2007 Copa America when they played to a 3-1 victory in host nation Venezuela as the U.S. finished bottom of their group with three defeats.

These two teams have only played once at the World Cup, coming all the way back in the first-ever tournament in 1930, when the United States won 3-0.

USA vs. Paraguay betting odds, predictions

• Moneyline lean: USA (-105)
• Score prediction: USA 2-1 Paraguay

The United States have plenty of questions about their side coming into this tournament, but they will be set up well to start things off with a victory against a weakened Paraguay side that is missing Julio Enciso.

Against Senegal, the U.S. looked extremely bright up front, and they have proven capable of breaking down mid-level defensive sides. Meanwhile, it will be difficult for Paraguay to find the back of the net, but they have enough talent to take advantage of any U.S. mistakes at the back, of which they are prone to making.

Expect a U.S. victory, but they will likely need multiple goals to get there.

How to watch USA vs. Paraguay

Here's how to watch this 2026 World Cup group stage match in English across the United States:

• TV channel: FOX
• Live stream: fubo

This match will be televised on FOX in the U.S., a channel which can be found streaming on fubo.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Paraguay World Cup roster 2026