The United States team faces Paraguay this Friday (06/12/2026) at SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California. The game opens Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the home team and marks the kickoff of the American campaign in the tournament. The clash is scheduled for 10pm (Brasília time).
Coach Mauricio Pochettino should line up the USA with Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Folarin Balogun among the highlights. On the Paraguayan side, led by Gustavo Alfaro, names like Miguel Almirón, Alejandro Romero Gamarra and Antonio Sanabria lead the front line. Probable formations include a 3-4-2-1 for the hosts and a 4-4-2 for the South Americans.
Expectations for a full house and initial pressure
SoFi Stadium, with a capacity for around 70,000 fans, hosts the game at a historic moment. It is the first World Cup match on American soil in this expanded edition. Although tickets are still available on some platforms, a large audience is expected to support the home team.
The referee will be Dutchman Danny Makkelie, with a historical average of cards that indicates a possibly physical game. Paraguay, which returned to the World Cup after 16 years, arrives motivated after a good campaign in the South American qualifiers.
History and context of the confrontation
The teams faced each other recently, with the USA winning 2-1 in a friendly in November. In World Cups, the only duel was in 1930, with an American victory 3-0. The United States occupies a higher position in the FIFA rankings (#17 against Paraguay’s #41), but the Paraguayan team is known for its defensive discipline.
Where to watch live
In Brazil, the game will be broadcast live on open TV by Globo and SBT. On pay TV and PPV, SporTV, NSports and Premiere. In streaming, CazéTV (YouTube) and geTV via Globoplay offer free or affordable options.
Probable lineups
USA (3-4-2-1): Matt Freese; Sergiño Dest, Tim Ream, Miles Robinson; Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson, etc. Highlights: Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun.
Paraguay (4-4-2): Formation with defenders like Omar Alderete and midfielders like Mathias Villasanti, with an attack led by Almirón and Sanabria.