USMNT vs. Paraguay Top Storylines, Odds, Live Stream for World Cup 2026

The United States men's national team plays its first World Cup game on home soil since 1994 on Friday night at Sofi Stadium.

Christian Pulisic and Co. open Group D play against Paraguay.

The big question mark lingering over the contest is the health of defender Chris Richards.

The Crystal Palace center-back declared himself ready for Friday's game, so now it comes down to whether or not Mauricio Pochettino places him into the starting XI.

USMNT vs. Paraguay Info

Date: Friday, June 12

Start Time: 9 p.m. ET

TV: Fox

Live Stream: Fox One

Odds (via FanDuel Sportsbook): USMNT (-110; bet $110 to win $100); Paraguay (+320; bet $100 to win $320); Draw (+240)

Preview

Chris Richards' health has been the primary focus of the USMNT's pre-World Cup camp.

Richards suffered an injury late in the European season with Crystal Palace and did not play in the two pre-tournament friendlies against Senegal and Germany.

The 26-year-old defender declared himself fit during a chat with media on Wednesday.

Richards is the USMNT's best option at center-back, so one would assume that if he's healthy, he will be in Pochettino's XI.

The other big decision comes in goal between Matt Freese and Matt Turner. No indication has been given in either direction in the build-up to Friday's contest.

The rest of the starting XI is fairly easy to pick. Folarin Balogun will spearhead the attack with Christian Pulisic and Malik Tillman behind him. Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie will be active in midfield in a game the Americans should win.

The Americans beat Paraguay in a November friendly. That was one of three impressive results they earned against South American sides at the end of 2025.

Pochettino's side hasn't performed as well against European teams with losses to Belgium, Germany and Portugal in 2026, but that won't come into play until Matchday 3 of Group D against Turkiye.

Paraguay earned the sixth and final automatic qualification spot in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. It limited opponents to 10 goals across 18 games, but it also scored just 14 goals.

Julio Enciso, who is arguably Paraguay's best player, may not feature on Friday due to an injury he suffered in a pre-World Cup friendly against Nicaragua.

Brighton's Diego Gomez and Atlanta United's Miguel Almiron are two of the danger men in the Paraguay side. They will carry even more importance to the squad is Enciso is unable to play.

Regardless of who is or isn't on the pitch, the USMNT is expected to come away with three points on home soil.

Winning Group D is the expectation for the start of the tournament. The Americans should take one step toward that goal with a win in Los Angeles on Friday night.