The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) will begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on Friday, June 12, at 9 p.m. Eastern against Paraguay in Los Angeles. This marks the first match of the expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Paraguay returns to the World Cup after a 16-year absence, having last qualified in 2010 when they reached the quarterfinals. The team, ranked 40th by FIFA, is led by Miguel Almirón, a veteran midfielder who plays for Atlanta United in the MLS. Paraguay's path to the tournament included upsets over Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil during qualifying.
The U.S. and Paraguay are joined in Group D by Turkey and Australia, with matches scheduled in Seattle, Santa Clara, and Vancouver. The U.S. will face Australia on June 19 in Seattle, where defensive play and goalkeeper Matthew Ryan are expected to be key factors.
Paraguayan communities in the U.S. are eagerly anticipating the tournament, with fans organizing watch parties and purchasing tickets despite high prices. Santiago Araujo, a Paraguayan-American restaurant owner in California, secured tickets for the match against Australia, highlighting the cultural significance of the team's return.
The 2026 World Cup will feature 16 host cities across the three countries, with Seattle and Vancouver coordinating cross-border tourism plans. The U.S. squad, described as a young and exciting team, aims to advance beyond the group stage in front of home crowds.