The United States Men's National Team will open its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday night, kicking off at 7 p.m. Mountain Time.
The match marks the first of three group‑stage fixtures for the U.S., who enter the tournament fresh off a 2‑1 friendly loss to Germany that revealed both promise and defensive frailties.
Paraguay arrives with a nine‑match unbeaten run in qualifying, a reputation for a compact back line and a style that often forces opponents into low‑scoring affairs.
Fans can watch the action on a mix of English and Spanish outlets, including Fox, Telemundo, Fox One and Peacock, ensuring broad access across the country.
Betting markets have already opened, with most analysts projecting a 1‑0 or 2‑1 win for the United States, though the narrow margins reflect Paraguay’s defensive resilience.
Betting Landscape
Analysts from Dimers, Bookies.com and Odds Trader have priced the United States as slight favorites, but the spread remains tight, reflecting the competitive balance between the two sides.
The United States is expected to field an attacking trio featuring Christian Pulisic, while midfielders Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie are likely to anchor the center, and goalkeeper Matt Freese will earn his first World Cup start.
Paraguayan coach Bill Speros has emphasized a disciplined back four, with players such as Mark McKenzie and Antonee Robinson tasked with neutralizing the U.S. wing play.
The atmosphere at SoFi Stadium is expected to be electric, as a partisan home crowd will attempt to sway referee decisions and provide a psychological edge for the American side.