LIVE UPDATES: U.S. Men's National Team vs. Paraguay in FIFA World Cup 2026
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LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Men’s National Team is set for its first FIFA World Cup match on home soil in over 30 years. The USMNT face Paraguay to open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. with kickoff slated for 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The match is being broadcast on FOX in English and Telemundo in Spanish.
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PRE-GAME - Paraguay’s Starting XI
Strasbourg’s Julio Enciso returns to starting lineup following injury scare in Paraguay’s last outing.
PRE-GAME - The USMNT’s Starting XI
Matt Freese in goal, Chris Richards returns, captain Tim Ream becomes the oldest USMNT player to make a FIFA World Cup appearance.
- MORE: STARTING XI AND LINEUP NOTES: USMNT VS. PARAGUAY IN FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 GROUP STAGE
Today’s USMNT Starting XI vs. Paraguay: 24-Matt Freese, 2-Sergiño Dest, 3-Chris Richards 4-Tyler Adams, 5-Antonee Robinson, 8-Weston McKennie, 10-Christian Pulisic, 13-Tim Ream (Capt.), 16-Alex Freeman, 17-Malik Tillman, 20-Folarin Balogun
Substitutes: 1-Matt Turner, 25-Chris Brady, 6-Auston Trusty, 7-Gio Reyna, 9-Ricardo Pepi, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 12-Miles Robinson, 14-Sebastian Berhalter, 15-Cristian Roldan, 18-Max Arfsten, 19-Haji Wright, 21-Tim Weah, 22-Mark McKenzie, 23-Joe Scally, 26-Alex Zendejas
PRE-GAME - Everyone’s Available
All 26 players on the roster for the U.S. Men’s National Team will be available for the team’s group stage opener at FIFA World Cup 2026.
The news comes straight from head coach Mauricio Pochettino, whose pre-match press conference was held at the site of the USA’s first fixture, Los Angeles Stadium.
- MORE: ENTIRE USMNT ROSTER AVAILABLE FOR GROUP STAGE OPENER VS. PARAGUAY
PRE-GAME - Pochettino’s Plan
Since taking over in September of 2024, Pochettino and the coaching staff have gone deep into the National Team player pool to identify and give opportunities to players seeking a coveted spot on the World Cup roster. In total, 62 players have earned a cap under Pochettino since October 2024. They came from 16 different leagues in 12 different countries. On the scoring front, 22 different players have contributed to the 42 goals scored under Pochettino, with Malik Tillman, Haji Wright and Folarin Balogun each tallying three goals during his tenure.
PRE-GAME - The USMNT’s FIFA World Cup Returnees
Thirteen players – half the roster – were part of the U.S. squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, tying the U.S. mark for the highest number of returnees between consecutive World Cups, first set between the 1994 and 1998 editions. The veterans of the Qatar tournament include all three goalscorers: Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah and Haji Wright.
Eight players on the FIFA World Cup roster started all four matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup: Tyler Adams, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Matt Turner and Tim Weah.
PRE-GAME - USMNT vs. Paraguay History
The USMNT maintains a 5W-2L-2D record against Paraguay in a series dating back to the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930. In the United States’ second group stage match of the tournament, Bert Patenaude made history by scoring the first hat trick at the FIFA World Cup, lifting the USMNT to a 3-0 victory. The pair did not meet again until a scoreless draw in St. Louis, Mo. in 1997, later matching up again in a 2-2 draw in San Diego, Calif. The USA’s first loss against Paraguay came in the form of a 3-1 loss in Venezuela at the 2007 Copa América.
The USA is riding a three-match winning streak against Paraguay, most recently defeating the side in a fiery affair in Chester, Pa. on Nov. 16, 2025. Midfielder Gio Reyna and striker Folarin Balogun – two players on Mauricio Pochettino’s current roster – scored on either side of halftime amid a five-match unbeaten streak for the USMNT against World Cup-bound and top 40-ranked nations.
PRE-GAME - Paraguay Players to Watch
Paraguay is led by a youthful collection of talented midfielders: 22-year-old Julio Enciso of RC Strasbourg Alsace, 23-year-old Diego Gómez of Brighton & Hove Albion FC and 24-year-old Maurício of SE Palmeiras. During the 25/26 club campaign, the trio totaled a combined 26 goals and 12 assists across all competitions.
Four players from Paraguay’s 26-man roster currently play in Major League Soccer (MLS): Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United FC), Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Braian Ojeda (Orlando City SC), and Matías Galarza (Atlanta United FC). Cubas currently plays alongside USMNT midfielder Sebastian Berhalter in Vancouver; the pair have shared the pitch 104 times across all competitions for the ‘Caps and won the Canadian Championship on three occasions (2022-24).
PRE-GAME - How to Watch
The match will be broadcast live on FOX with English commentary. Spanish commentary can be found on Telemundo and Peacock starting at 2:30 p.m. ET. Pregame coverage begins at 2 p.m. ET.
Fans can stream USMNT vs. Paraguay on the FOX One app with English commentary and Telemundo and Peacock with Spanish commentary starting at 9 p.m. ET. Pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET. The match will also be available for free on Tubi.
Spanish-language commentary can be found on Fútbol de Primera. Coverage of the United States vs. Paraguay will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET.