Los Angeles, June 12:
Co-hosts United States will begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign when they take on Paraguay in a Group D encounter in Los Angeles on Friday, with both sides eager to make a winning start in a group that also includes Australia and Turkey.
With only the top two teams guaranteed a place in the knockout stage, every point could prove crucial, making the opening fixture particularly significant for both nations.
The United States enter the tournament carrying the hopes of a home crowd as one of the three co-host nations alongside Canada and Mexico.
Having qualified automatically for the competition, Mauricio Pochettino’s side enjoyed a lengthy preparation period and now face the challenge of translating that planning into results on football’s biggest stage.
Ranked 16th in the world, the United States are appearing in their 12th World Cup and will be hoping to improve on their recent performances. Their best showing came in 2002 when they reached the quarter-finals, while they have advanced to the knockout stage in each of their last three appearances at the tournament.
Paraguay, meanwhile, return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 and will be keen to announce their comeback with a positive result. La Albirroja secured qualification after finishing sixth in the South American qualifying campaign and arrive with renewed confidence under Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro.
One of the highlights of Paraguay’s qualification journey was a memorable 2-1 victory over reigning world champions Argentina. Although they suffered a friendly defeat to the United States last November, Alfaro’s men have responded strongly, winning three of their last four matches.