The second of three host openers, and the first time the USMNT will walk out as a World Cup team since 2014. Mauricio Pochettino — Argentine, Champions League finalist, the man who built Tottenham into a top-four side — picks up his first competitive World Cup match in charge of his adopted nation. Across from him sits Gustavo Alfaro, the same coach who took Ecuador past hosts Qatar at the last World Cup. Both men know exactly how an opener can swing a group. SoFi Stadium expects 70,000 fans in red, white and blue.

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Why the USA are favourites at home

The 1.65 price reflects three structural advantages. First, the home crowd: 70,240 seats at SoFi, a USMNT home record for a non-Mexico fixture. Second, the European-based spine — Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen) and Antonee Robinson (Fulham) — gives Pochettino more elite-level minutes than Paraguay's entire starting XI combined.

Third, momentum. The 6-0 demolition of Uruguay in November 2025 wasn't a friendly anomaly; it was a fully-rotated Pochettino side dominating one of South America's top three. The USMNT have lost only one of their last seven competitive matches, and Pulisic has finally found scoring form again at club level. Add Paraguay's away struggles (one win in their last seven trips outside South America) and the home favourite tag fits cleanly.

Where Paraguay can hurt the hosts

Alfaro is the wrong opponent to take lightly. He took Ecuador to the 2022 World Cup, beat hosts Qatar in their opener, and drew with the Netherlands. He has spent his entire club career learning how to set up a defensive South American block that frustrates more talented opponents — and that's exactly the gameplan Paraguay will bring to Los Angeles.

Omar Alderete (Sunderland) and captain Gustavo Gómez form one of CONMEBOL qualifying's stingiest centre-back partnerships. Diego Gómez (Brighton) and Andres Cubas anchor a midfield that strangles space. Up top, the Julio Enciso–Antonio Sanabria pairing has pace and finishing — Enciso's Strasbourg form this past season (8 goals in Ligue 1) is the breakout story Pochettino's analysts will have flagged. If the USMNT play sloppy in transition, this isn't a 0-3 trap; it's a 1-1 stumble that puts the whole group in the balance.

Final pick and value bets

The straight 1X2 doesn't offer obvious edge — 1.65 prices the USA's home advantage about right. The clearer value lives in two other markets. USA -0.5 AH at 1.45 → is essentially a USA-win bet with a slight insurance kicker if you fancy the line shifting closer to kickoff. More interesting: Under 2.5 goals at 1.75 → looks the smarter total bet — Paraguay's last 12 matches under Alfaro have averaged 2.0 goals per game, and the USMNT haven't gone over 2.5 in any of their last four against South American opposition.

For a longer shot, USA 2-1 at 8.50 → is the modal projection: USMNT score twice, Paraguay grab a consolation through Enciso or Sanabria. Avoid BTTS yes at the 1.95–2.00 line — Paraguay scored in just two of their last seven away friendlies.

Final pick: Under 2.5 goals at 1.75 → · longer shot: USA 2-1 at 8.50 →.

AI match analysis

BETA

Generate a live prediction for United States vs Paraguay based on the latest team news, recent form, lineup updates and current odds movement.

Where to bet on United States vs Paraguay

Tap any price to bet at that bookmaker. Lime cells show the best price across our partner books. Odds updated 21 May 2026.

Market

Mostbet

Fonbet

1xBet

United States to win

Draw

Paraguay to win

Over 2.5 goals

Both teams to score

USA -0.5 (Asian handicap)

1.42 1.45 →1.40

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Head-to-head

15 Nov 2025 · International friendlyUSA 2-1 Paraguay

28 Mar 2018 · International friendlyUSA 1-0 Paraguay

12 Jun 2016 · Copa América CentenarioUSA 1-0 Paraguay

30 Mar 2011 · International friendlyParaguay 1-0 USA

2 Jul 2007 · Copa AméricaParaguay 3-1 USA

All-time at senior level: 5 meetings — USA 3 wins, Paraguay 2 wins, 0 draws. USA on a three-match unbeaten run.

Lineups

United States XI (4-2-3-1) · Mauricio Pochettino

Freese · Dest, Richards, Ream, Robinson · Adams, McKennie · Weah, Tillman, Pulisic · Balogun

Out: Reyna (minor knock, doubtful)

Paraguay XI (4-4-2) · Gustavo Alfaro

Fernandez · Caceres, G. Gómez, Alderete, Riveros · González, Bobadilla, D. Gómez, Almirón · Enciso, Sanabria

Frequently asked questions

What time does USA vs Paraguay kick off?⌄

USA vs Paraguay kicks off at 21:00 ET on Friday 12 June 2026 (18:00 PT in Los Angeles, 02:00 UTC on 13 June). UK fans will see it at 02:00 BST Saturday morning.

Where is USA vs Paraguay being played?⌄

At SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles, with a tournament capacity of 70,240. It is the USMNT's first match of the World Cup 2026, the second host opener after Mexico vs South Africa on 11 June.

What are the odds on the USA to win the opener?⌄

The USA are favoured at consensus odds around 1.65 to beat Paraguay. The draw sits at 3.60 and Paraguay to win at 5.50 across our partner bookmakers Mostbet, Fonbet and 1xBet.

Where can I watch USA vs Paraguay?⌄

FOX Sports holds English-language rights in the United States, with Telemundo carrying the Spanish broadcast. Tubi will simulcast the match in free 4K. In the UK the match is on BBC iPlayer; in Germany on Magenta TV; in Spain on RTVE.