Probable lineup United States vs. Paraguay at the 2026 FIFA World Cup By Janderson Luiz
2 min read
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The United States team takes the field this Friday (June 12, 2026) for the first game of the FIFA World Cup in the host country. The opponent is Paraguay, who returns to the tournament after 16 years of absence and promises to complicate life for the home team at the SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, Los Angeles.
Mauricio Pochettino, Argentine coach of the North American team, knows the Paraguayan style well and warned about the difficulty of the confrontation. “They have quality and a great coach like Gustavo Alfaro, whom I respect and admire a lot,” said the commander. The pressure for a good result is high: as hosts, the USA need to start with a victory to control Group D, which still includes Australia and Türkiye.
Paraguay arrives motivated to surprise. Under Alfaro’s command, Albirroja stands out for its defensive organization, quick counterattacks and ability to complicate games against favorites. In the last meeting between the teams, in November 2025, the USA won 2-1, but the South American team learned valuable lessons from that friendly match.
Probable lineups and individual highlights
For the home team, Pochettino should opt for a formation with Matt Freese in goal, Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest on the wings, and a strong midfield with Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie. In attack, Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun bear the responsibility of creating and finishing.
On the Paraguayan side, Alfaro’s 4-4-2 should have Miguel Almirón and Antonio Sanabria as the main offensive weapons. The defense, led by experienced players, will seek to neutralize American talent and explore spaces in transitions.
What’s at stake for Group D
A victory for the USA practically puts them on the path to the round of 16, taking advantage of the home advantage and the massive support of the fans at the Californian stadium. Paraguay, on the other hand, needs to score points right away so as not to depend on unlikely results in the following rounds. The referee will be Dutch Danny Makkelie.
Where to watch live
In Brazil, the transmission is carried out by SBT. The ball starts at around 10pm (Brasília time), with complete pre- and post-game coverage on the main sports channels.
The match marks the official start of the American home campaign and tests Paraguay’s ability to return to being competitive on the world stage. Any unexpected result can drastically change the group’s predictions.
