USA vs Paraguay: 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D Preview

USA vs Paraguay — 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D Opener

Kickoff: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 01:00 UTC (Friday, June 12, 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT) | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

The United States men's national team open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Group D opponents Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

As of June 12, 2026, the USA enter as clear favorites. According to WeeBet live data, kickoff is confirmed for 01:00 UTC on June 13.

ESPN's live market has USA priced at around +110 moneyline, with Paraguay out at +285 and the draw at +220

— prices that reflect home advantage, superior FIFA ranking, and a Paraguay squad potentially missing its most dangerous attacker.

Paraguay are making their comeback to the World Cup after missing the last three editions; the last time they competed in the tournament, in 2010, they reached the quarterfinals.

Three points are not guaranteed, but the weight of evidence favors the co-hosts on home soil.

Track live odds, real-time scores, and all available markets at the WeeBet World Cup 2026 Hub, and follow every minute of the action on the dedicated USA vs Paraguay live match page.

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The Group D Context

With tournament heavyweights Turkey waiting in the wings alongside a highly energetic Australia squad in Group D, a misstep on matchday one could prove catastrophic

for either side's knockout hopes.

Anything less than three points against their South American opponents could affect the USA's prospects, as they look to go further than the round-of-16 finish from the home World Cup in 1994.

For the first time in more than three decades, the United States will play a football World Cup on home soil

— a fact that amplifies every aspect of the occasion, from the political theatre in the stands to the pressure on Mauricio Pochettino's squad to deliver.

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USA Form and Key Players

In 2026 so far, the USMNT have played four matches and lost three — against Germany, Portugal, and Belgium — with their only win, 3–2, coming against Senegal.

It is a pre-tournament run that raises legitimate questions about Pochettino's system translating on the biggest stage.

Under intense domestic pressure, USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino must prove his high-pressing, vertical attacking system can deliver on the world stage under the weight of home expectations.

The individual quality is not in dispute.

The hot spotlight of American soccer has followed Christian Pulisic for years, and he remains the top active goalscorer for the USMNT with 33 goals in 86 career appearances.

Leading the way at AC Milan, Pulisic scored a goal and had two assists in Qatar 2022. He is joined in midfield by Juventus's Weston McKennie, while Gio Reyna — the attacking midfielder with Borussia Mönchengladbach — brings the kind of playmaking ability Pochettino seeks.

The final selection proved surprising, with Pochettino taking a risk with a notably thin midfield — believed to be the deepest position in the USMNT player pool but left exposed by injuries and individual selections.

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Paraguay Form and Key Players

Paraguay, under coach Gustavo Alfaro, arrive having gone unbeaten in eight matches including wins over Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. They gave up just 14 goals across all 18 CONMEBOL qualifiers — a team that will make this difficult and wait for their moment.

Gustavo Alfaro, 63, took charge as manager in 2024 and guided Paraguay to their World Cup return by reverting the national team to its traditional style.

Under previous coach Daniel Garnero, Paraguay had won just one of their six World Cup qualifying matches. Alfaro pushed the team into a more physical game coupled with a robust defensive structure, and the results were overwhelmingly positive.

Defender Omar Alderete is making waves in the Premier League with Sunderland, and both Diego Gomez (Brighton & Hove Albion) and Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth) play in England.

Captain

Gustavo Gomez, Junior Alonso, and Fabian Balbuena form an experienced, if ageing, backline.

The Enciso Cloud

The most significant development in Paraguay's pre-tournament build-up is the fitness of 22-year-old winger Julio Enciso.

Enciso was stretchered off in tears during a friendly against Nicaragua, sparking fears over his status just one week before the World Cup began.

Coach Alfaro described a double knock: a hamstring impact and a blow that affected the quadriceps area.

According to a report from June 6, 2026,

Enciso is confirmed to travel with the squad but is ruled out for the opener against the United States and will likely also miss the Turkey fixture.

Enciso had contributed 12 goals during his first season at Strasbourg

and

on a team that isn't known for scoring many goals, he is a vital creative spark in attack.

His absence significantly blunts Paraguay's attacking options heading into SoFi Stadium.

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Head-to-Head Record

The last time these two nations met at a World Cup was 1930, when Bert Patenaude scored a hat-trick for the USA — the first in World Cup history.

In more recent memory, the head-to-head record strongly favors the United States.

The last five meetings read: USA 2–1 Paraguay (November 15, 2025, friendly); USA 1–0 Paraguay (March 28, 2018, friendly); USA 1–0 Paraguay (June 12, 2016, Copa América); USA 0–1 Paraguay (March 30, 2011, friendly); USA 1–3 Paraguay (July 2, 2007, Copa América).

The two teams faced off in an international friendly in November 2025, which the U.S. won 2–1 after a scuffle between players broke out during stoppage time.

U.S. forward Tim Weah acknowledged the physical nature of what is coming: "We know that they're gonna be super, super aggressive, so we're going to have to match that. We saw that the last time we played them."

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What the Odds Say

According to WeeBet live data and

market pricing as of matchday, the USA are favored at approximately +110 moneyline, with Paraguay at +285 and the draw priced at +220. On the spread, the USA are installed at -0.5 goals. The total goals market has the over 2.5 priced at +150 and under 2.5 at -130

— pointing to an expectation of a tight, low-scoring contest rather than an open game.

Tactical analysts lean toward a USA win, though few would be surprised by a 1–0 scoreline. Paraguay are expected to sit deep, absorb pressure, and make the USA find a moment of quality to break through.

The event contracts market on the WeeBet hub reflects genuine uncertainty: Paraguay's defensive structure under Alfaro has been proven at the highest CONMEBOL level, and without Enciso, their threat is reduced but not eliminated. For those looking to take a position on match outcome, total goals, or first goalscorer markets, live pricing is available now at WeeBet's World Cup 2026 hub and updates in real time on the USA vs Paraguay match page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When does USA vs Paraguay kick off?

USA vs Paraguay kicks off on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM local Los Angeles time — which is 01:00 UTC on June 13.

The match is played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Who is favored to win USA vs Paraguay?

According to WeeBet live data, the USA enter as favorites with a moneyline price of approximately +110, against Paraguay at +285, with the draw at +220. Home advantage, superior FIFA ranking, and Paraguay's Enciso injury all factor into the market lean toward the co-hosts.

Is Julio Enciso playing for Paraguay against the USA?

As of June 6, 2026, reports confirmed that Enciso will travel with the Paraguay squad but is ruled out for the opener against the United States.

Coach Alfaro described a double knock involving a hamstring impact and a blow affecting the quadriceps area

, making his absence for the Group D opener all but certain.

What TV channel is showing USA vs Paraguay?

The match is available on Fox Sports in the United States, ITV1 in the United Kingdom, Zee5 in India, and SBS in Australia.

Peacock is also carrying coverage in the US market.

What group are USA and Paraguay in at the 2026 World Cup?

The co-hosts face Australia, Paraguay, and Türkiye in Group D.

The group stage concludes on June 25, with all sides needing to manage results across three matchdays to secure knockout qualification.

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