USA vs Paraguay-Group D Preview

America's Biggest Soccer Night in 32 Years

The FIFA World Cup returns to American soil for the first time in more than three decades Friday night. The USMNT kicks off its first group-stage match against Paraguay in Southern California.  

This 2026 World Cup has been circled on the calendar of US Soccer for nearly a decade. It is the long-awaited chance to finally rewrite a legacy of underachievement.

The nation is watching. The pressure is enormous.

Pochettino's First World Cup as a Manager

This will be ex-Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino's first World Cup as a coach. The pressure to produce a deep run is immense. 

USA's best finish came in 1930, when they beat Paraguay en route to claiming bronze. That is still the only time a CONCACAF nation finished inside the top four.  History gives them confidence against this opponent specifically.

USA's Firepower — Pulisic Leads the Line

Mauricio Pochettino has serious attacking firepower. Christian Pulisic, Mallik Tillman, and Folarin Balogun all feature in the attack.