Rabat – The United States will open its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against Paraguay on Friday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 am GMT+1 on Saturday).
The match is expected to be a closely contested encounter, with both teams looking to make a strong start in the tournament. While the US enters the World Cup as one of the host nations, recent performances have raised questions about the team’s form and readiness.
The Americans have struggled to find consistency in recent friendly matches, winning only one of their last four games. Despite those results, expectations remain high for a talented squad led by captain Christian Pulisic, who is widely regarded as the team’s most influential attacking player.
Pulisic is expected to play a key role in creating scoring opportunities, but the US will also rely on several other important players, including Ricardo Pepi, Weston McKennie, Giovanni Reyna, and Folarin Balogun. The team will be looking to use its attacking quality and home support to secure a positive result in its opening match.
Paraguay, however, arrives in good form. The South American side has won two of its last three friendly matches and will be confident heading into the contest. Known for its disciplined defending and ability to capitalize on mistakes, Paraguay has developed a reputation as a difficult opponent, especially on the counterattack.
Although Paraguay may not possess the same attacking star power as some of the world’s top teams, its organized style of play and ability to transition quickly from defense to attack could present challenges for the US.
Still, betting websites currently view the Americans as slight favorites, but the odds suggest a competitive match.
With both teams eager to begin their World Cup journey with three points, fans can expect an intense and hard-fought battle under the lights at SoFi Stadium. The match represents an opportunity for the US to build momentum and confidence. For Paraguay, it is a chance to make an early statement against one of the tournament hosts.
