USA vs Paraguay Live Streaming Guide | Match Preview | Analysis | Prediction | Team News & Where to Watch
FIFA World Cup 2026 — Group D | June 12, 2026 | 9:00 PM ET | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles
1. Match Overview
The last time USA and Paraguay met at a World Cup was 1930. Nearly a century later, they meet again — this time with everything on the line at a packed SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The United States are one of three co-hosts of this tournament and the pressure to perform in front of 70,000 home fans is enormous. Mauricio Pochettino's talented yet inconsistent team will be looking to begin their campaign with a win against a tough Paraguay side. This is the game that sets the tone for America's entire summer.
2. Group D Snapshot
USA | Paraguay | Australia | Turkey
Thanks to the new 48-team expanded format, a strong start for the United States can set them up well to earn a spot in the knockout stage. The USMNT are clear favourites to advance, but they will want to win the group rather than scrape through in third place.
3. Match Preview
There is a lot of noise around the team with the burden of being a host nation coupled with recent results. In 2026 so far, the USMNT have played four matches and lost three of those — against Germany, Portugal, and Belgium. Their only victory came against Senegal last week. The warm-up results have not been convincing, but Pochettino insists his squad is ready. When asked what his message was ahead of the opener, the Argentine coach was brief and blunt — "We need to win."
Paraguay are making their comeback to the World Cup after missing the last three editions. Last time they competed at the tournament in 2010, they made it to the quarterfinals. Gustavo Alfaro took charge as manager in 2024 and guided Paraguay to a dream return to the World Cup by reverting the national team to its traditional style — a more physical, compact, and defensively disciplined approach. Paraguay pushed the USMNT hard in a November friendly and has recently secured impressive results against Mexico, Japan, and Greece. They are not here to make up the numbers.
4. Team News
USA: Chris Richards is dealing with an ankle ligament injury suffered in May and is the only major doubt for the USMNT. If Richards cannot go, Miles Robinson or Mark McKenzie would step into the back three alongside Tim Ream. Christian Pulisic carries the nation's expectations on his shoulders despite only breaking a six-month goal drought during the friendly win over Senegal at the end of May. Folarin Balogun had a terrific goalscoring season with Monaco, netting 19 times, and is expected to lead the line.
Paraguay: Key player Julio Enciso is a doubt due to a muscle injury he sustained during the friendly against Nicaragua. Miguel Almiron remains their most creative and dangerous player in the final third, while Antonio Sanabria leads the attack.
5. Predicted Lineups
USA (3-5-2):
Freese; Freeman, McKenzie, Ream; Dest, McKennie, Adams, Tillman, A. Robinson; Balogun, Pulisic
Paraguay (4-3-3):
Fernandez; Caceres, G. Gomez, Alderete, Alonso; Cubas, D. Gomez, Bobadilla; Almiron, Sanabria, Enciso
6. Head to Head
The USA and Paraguay meet at a World Cup for the first time in 96 years. The last time was in 1930, when the USA won 3-0. In recent friendly meetings, the sides are closely matched. Paraguay held the USA to a 2-1 result last year despite Pochettino fielding a weakened side. These two know each other well and neither will hold anything back.
7. Tactical Analysis
Pochettino's side plays with intensity and scores goals, though it does not always have the same high-pressing fluidity of his previous club teams. The key for USA is getting Pulisic into dangerous areas early. Sergiño Dest will likely feature in a forward role, which helps McKennie and Pulisic roam freely and attack what should be a stout Paraguayan defence.
Paraguay will be compact and hard to break down. Paraguay's qualification campaign was built on defence and Alfaro will ask his side to stay organised, frustrate the crowd, and pounce through Almiron's creativity and Sanabria's movement. If Paraguay can keep it goalless into the final 20 minutes, the home crowd noise could work against the USMNT.
8. Form Guide
USA (last 5): L L L L W — Three losses to Germany, Portugal and Belgium, one win over Senegal. Unconvincing but Pochettino insists it was all part of the plan.
Paraguay (last 5): W D W L D — Steady, hard to beat, and dangerous on their day.
9. Prediction
The USA have too much quality at home to lose this one. A full SoFi Stadium, Pulisic motivated to silence his critics, and Balogun hungry to announce himself on the biggest stage — it all points toward a home win. Paraguay will make it competitive but the USMNT should find a way through.
Final Score Prediction: USA 2 — 0 Paraguay
10. Where to Watch
USA — FOX (English) / Telemundo (Spanish) | Stream: Fubo TV, FOX App, Tubi (FREE)
UK — ITV1 | Stream: ITVX (FREE)
Ireland — RTÉ Two | Stream: RTÉ Player (FREE)
Australia — SBS | Stream: SBS on Demand (FREE)
India — JioStar / Zee5
Canada — TSN / CTV
France — TF1 / beIN Sports
Germany — ARD / ZDF / MagentaTV
Middle East — beIN Sports Arabia
Global — FIFA+ (free in select regions)
11. Kick-Off Times
Los Angeles: 6:00 PM PT
New York: 9:00 PM ET
London: 2:00 AM BST (June 13)
Paris/Berlin: 3:00 AM CEST (June 13)
Dubai: 5:00 AM GST (June 13)
Mumbai: 6:30 AM IST (June 13)
Tokyo: 10:00 AM JST (June 13)
Sydney: 11:00 AM AEST (June 13)
São Paulo: 10:00 PM BRT
12. Quick Facts
Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2026
Group: D — Matchday 1
Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
USA FIFA Rank: 16 | Paraguay FIFA Rank: 40