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JUMP TO:
- USA projected starting 11
- Paraguay projected starting 11
- USA and Paraguay World Cup rosters
- USA vs. Paraguay odds, prediction
- How to watch USA vs. Paraguay
The United States begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup journey on Friday as the USMNT takes on Group D opponents Paraguay in their first match of the summer tournament from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Amidst excitement of an historic World Cup push, Mauricio Pochettino will lead the co-hosts of the 2026 competition into their opener. The U.S. has never progressed past the quarterfinals of a modern World Cup, reaching that stage just once back in 2002.
Led by superstar Christian Pulisic, the 2026 squad will hope to push the popularity of soccer in the United States to new heights with a strong performance across the next month.
The Sporting News brings you a look at the projected starting lineups for both teams, as well as an overview of their World Cup squads, plus odds, predictions, and how to watch the game.
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USA projected starting 11
(4-2-3-1, right to left): 24. Freese (GK) — 16. Freeman, 3. Richards, 13. Ream, 5. A. Robinson — 8. McKennie, 4. Adams — 2. Dest, 17. Tillman, 10. Pulisic — 20. Balogun.
- Injured: Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Agyemang (Achilles), Cardoso (ankle).
- Suspended: None
Stalwort center-back Chris Richards has missed both the USMNT's pre-World Cup friendlies against Senegal and Germany, but is expected to return for their World Cup opener.
Midfielder Johnny Cardoso was expected to be involved this summer, but suffered an ankle injury at the end of the club season that has ruled him out of the tournament. Cameron Carter-Vickers and Patrick Agyemang, who have both been called in recently, suffered Achilles ruptures that have left them sidelined.
Mauricio Pochettino is expected to deploy the hybrid 4-2-3-1 system that sees three central defenders shift over at various points of the match.
MORE: Why hasn't USMNT established itself yet as a World Cup power?
Paraguay projected starting 11
(4-4-2, right to left): 1. R. Fernandez (GK) — 4. Caceres, 15. G. Gomez, 3. Alderete, 6. Alonso — 14. Cubas, 8. D. Gomez, 17. Romero, 10. Almiron — 9. Sanabria, 11. D. Gonzalez.
- Injured: Enciso (muscle)
- Suspended: None
All eyes will be on Strasbourg star Julio Enciso, who suffered an injury in Paraguay's warm-up match against Nicaragua. It appeared at the time to be a serious injury, as the 22-year-old was stretchered off in tears, but he seems to have avoided the worst fears and could return at some point this World Cup. However, he's more than likely absent for this first match, training separately in the lead-up to Friday's opener as he works to return for the rest of Group A play.
That leaves a lot of weight on the shoulders of Enciso's former Brighton teammate Diego Gomez, who joined the Premier League club last year after playing alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami.
Paraguay's captain is defender Gustavo Gomez who boasts nearly 90 international caps and remains an everyday starter for Brazilian giants Palmeiras even as he has recently turned 33 years old.
USA vs. Paraguay World Cup rosters
Here are the names on the USA and Paraguay World Cup rosters. All caps and stats are correct as of the date of their announcement in May 2026.
MORE: How USA can play Iran in the 2026 World Cup
USA World Cup squad
Head coach: Mauricio Pochettino
| Pos | No. | Name | Club | Age | Caps |
| GK | 25 | Chris Brady | Chicago Fire (MLS, United States) | 22 | 0 |
| GK | 1 | Matt Freese | NYCFC (MLS, United States) | 27 | 14 |
| GK | 24 | Matt Turner | New England Revolution (MLS, United States) | 31 | 53 |
| DEF | 18 | Max Arfsten | Columbus Crew (MLS, United States) | 25 | 18 |
| DEF | 2 | Sergino Dest | PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie, Netherlands) | 25 | 37 |
| DEF | 16 | Alex Freeman | Orlando City (MLS, United States) | 21 | 15 |
| DEF | 22 | Mark McKenzie | Toulouse (Ligue 1, France) | 27 | 27 |
| DEF | 13 | Tim Ream | Charlotte FC (MLS, United States) | 38 | 80 |
| DEF | 3 | Chris Richards | Crystal Palace (Premier League, England) | 26 | 36 |
| DEF | 5 | Antonee Robinson | Fulham (Premier League, England) | 28 | 52 |
| DEF | 12 | Miles Robinson | FC Cincinnati (MLS, United States) | 29 | 38 |
| DEF | 23 | Joe Scally | Borussia Monchengladbach (Bundesliga, Germany) | 23 | 24 |
| DEF | 6 | Auston Trusty | Celtic (Premiership, Scotland) | 27 | 5 |
| MID | 11 | Brenden Aaronson | Leeds United (Premier League, England) | 25 | 57 |
| MID | 4 | Tyler Adams | Bournemouth (Premier League, England) | 27 | 52 |
| MID | 14 | Sebastian Berhalter | Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS, Canada) | 25 | 11 |
| MID | 7 | Gio Reyna | Borussia Monchengladbach (Bundesliga, Germany) | 23 | 36 |
| MID | 8 | Weston McKennie | Juventus (Serie A, Italy) | 27 | 64 |
| MID | 15 | Cristian Roldan | Seattle Sounders (MLS, United States) | 30 | 45 |
| MID | 17 | Malik Tillman | Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga, Germany) | 23 | 28 |
| MID | 26 | Alejandro Zendejas | Club America (Liga MX, Mexico) | 28 | 13 |
| FWD | 20 | Folarin Balogun | AS Monaco (Ligue 1, France) | 24 | 25 |
| FWD | 9 | Ricardo Pepi | PSV Eindhoven (Eredivisie, Netherlands) | 23 | 35 |
| FWD | 10 | Christian Pulisic | AC Milan (Serie A, Italy) | 27 | 84 |
| FWD | 21 | Timothy Weah | Marseille (Ligue 1, France) | 26 | 49 |
| FWD | 19 | Haji Wright | Coventry City (Championship, England) | 28 | 20 |
Paraguay World Cup squad
Head coach: Gustavo Alfaro
| GK | 1 | Gatito Fernandez | Cerro Porteno (Division de Honor, Paraguay) | 38 | 30 |
| GK | 12 | Orlando Gill | San Lorenzo (Primera Division, Argentina) | 25 | 5 |
| GK | 22 | Gaston Olveria | Olimpia (Division de Honor, Paraguay) | 33 | 1 |
| DEF | 3 | Omar Alderete | Sunderland (Premier League, England) | 29 | 35 |
| DEF | 6 | Junior Alonso | Atletico Mineiro (Serie A, Brazil) | 33 | 70 |
| DEF | 5 | Fabian Balbuena | Gremio (Serie A, Brazil) | 34 | 47 |
| DEF | 4 | Juan Jose Caceres | Dynamo Moscow (Premier League, Russia) | 26 | 16 |
| DEF | 13 | Jose Canale | Lanus (Primera Division, Argentina) | 29 | 1 |
| DEF | 15 | Gustavo Gomez | Palmeiras (Serie A, Brazil) | 33 | 88 |
| DEF | 26 | Alexandro Maidana | Talleres (Primera Division, Argentina) | 20 | 1 |
| MID | 10 | Miguel Almiron | Atlanta United (MLS, United States) | 32 | 75 |
| MID | 16 | Damian Bobadilla | Sao Paulo (Serie A, Brazil) | 24 | 19 |
| MID | 24 | Gustavo Caballero | Portsmouth (Championship, England) | 24 | 2 |
| MID | 14 | Andres Cubas | Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS, Canada) | 20 | 32 |
| MID | 23 | Matias Galarza | Atlanta United (MLS, United States) | 24 | 14 |
| MID | 8 | Diego Gomez | Brighton (Premier League, England) | 23 | 23 |
| MID | 17 | Kaku | Al Ain (Pro League, UAE) | 31 | 32 |
| MID | 11 | Mauricio | Palmeiras (Serie A, Brazil) | 24 | 2 |
| MID | 20 | Braian Ojeda | Orlando City (MLS, United States) | 25 | 16 |
| MID | 7 | Ramon Sosa | Palmeiras (Serie A, Brazil) | 26 | 28 |
| FWD | 18 | Alex Arce | Independiente Rivadavia (Primera Division, Argentina) | 30 | 14 |
| FWD | 21 | Gabriel Avalos | Independiente (Primera Division, Argentina) | 34 | 22 |
| FWD | 19 | Julio Enciso | Strasbourg (Ligue 1, France) | 22 | 31 |
| FWD | 25 | Isidro Pitta | Red Bull Bragantino (Serie A, Brazil) | 26 | 5 |
| FWD | 9 | Antonio Sanabria | Cremonese (Serie B, Italy) | 30 | 47 |
USA vs. Paraguay prediction, betting odds
| DraftKings (USA) | |
| USA win | -110 |
| Draw | +245 |
| Paraguay win | +320 |
| Both teams to score | Y: +105 N: -130 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | O: +130 U: -165 |
| USA -0.5 goals | -120 |
| Paraguay +0.5 goals | -120 |
- Prediction: USA 2-1 Paraguay
The United States just recently defeated Paraguay, back in November in a friendly from Philadelphia which took place just a month before they were grouped together at the World Cup draw.
Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun scored in that match, with the latter's 71st-minute winner giving the USMNT a 2-1 victory.
Ranked 40th by FIFA, Paraguay are a pesky group capable of springing an upset if given the opportunity, but the U.S. looks to be in good form heading into the World Cup and should manage to get things off on the right foot.
Where to watch USA vs. Paraguay
- TV channel: Fox
- Live stream: fubo, Fox One, Fox Sports app/website
This match will be broadcast nationally on Fox in the United States with streaming options available on its dedicated platforms.
The best place to catch the match is on streaming service fubo, with new customers able to sign up a for a FREE trial.
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.)
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