USA vs Paraguay: Preview and Prediction for the 2026 World Cup Match July 13, 2026

The first-round group stage match of the 2026 World Cup in Group D between the USA and Paraguay will take place on June 13, 2026, at SoFi Stadium, also known as Los Angeles Stadium, in Inglewood, USA. What can we expect from the co-hosts in their first match of the tournament?

USA vs Paraguay: Match Preview

The USA qualified automatically as one of the hosts of the World Cup. However, in the latest friendly matches right before the start of the tournament, serious defensive problems became clear under Mauricio Pochettino. The Yanks conceded nine goals in three games against Portugal, Belgium, and Senegal.

• Playing style: under Pochettino, the Americans use a flexible formation with three defenders, relying on fast wing play, high pressing intensity, and the individual quality of their wingers.
• Weak spot: a very high defensive line, which often leads to gaps after losing the ball, as well as the psychological pressure of playing in front of the home crowd.

Paraguay made a strong return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 after going through a tough South American qualification campaign. Under Pochettino’s compatriot Gustavo Alfaro, the team has kept impressive numbers. The Guarani conceded only 10 goals during the entire qualification campaign across 18 matches and suffered just one defeat in their last 11 qualifiers. On top of that, they beat Argentina and Brazil along the way.

• Playing style: athletic, physical, and deep defensive football. Paraguay try to fully control aerial duels, set up compact blocks in central areas, and put a strong focus on set pieces near the opponent’s goal.
• Weak spot: a chronic lack of creativity in positional attacks, as well as the low speed of their veteran centre-backs. Gustavo Gomez, Fabian Balbuena, Gustavo Velazquez, and Junior Alonso are already 135 years old combined.

Considering that the USA have enough fast players in attack, this factor could become one of the key ones.

USA vs Paraguay: Interesting Facts

• The match will be played in Inglewood, where the weather is usually comfortable in June. However, the stadium’s closed translucent roof will create a special acoustic effect, which may increase the pressure on the US team.
• The match will feature the experienced USA leader and playmaker Christian Pulisic from Milan, for whom a home World Cup could be the biggest moment of his career, and an even more seasoned figure of Paraguay’s generation, Miguel Almiron, who plays for MLS side Atlanta United.

Match Prediction

Our prediction for USA vs Paraguay: under 2.5 goals at odds of 1.68. Paraguay will likely give up possession on purpose, sit in a low block, and try to use their physical advantage. The USA will try to control the ball and apply positional pressure, but given their recent defensive problems, Pochettino is likely to act more carefully than usual. We expect a tense, tight tactical match with no more than two goals.