The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins in earnest for the co-hosts on Friday night as the United States take on Paraguay at a sold-out SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Expectations are high around Mauricio Pochettino’s side, who have home advantage, a talented squad and a favourable opening fixture on paper. Paraguay arrive with different ambitions. Gustavo Alfaro’s men are organised, disciplined and difficult to break down, and they will believe they have the tools to frustrate the hosts and make life uncomfortable from the outset.
The United States are appearing in their 12th World Cup and fourth as tournament hosts or co-hosts. Their best World Cup finish remains the semi-finals in 1930, while their most recent home tournament ended with a Round of 16 defeat against Brazil in 1994. Despite regularly qualifying for the competition, the Americans have won only nine of their 37 World Cup matches and have progressed beyond the Round of 16 only once in the modern era.
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