The United States face Paraguay on Friday, June 13 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles, in their Group D opener at the FIFA World Cup 2026, kicking off at 9:00 p.m. ET in front of what is expected to be one of the loudest crowds in USMNT history.
This is co-host USA’s most significant home sporting moment in decades. Mauricio Pochettino’s side enter with the full weight of a nation expecting more than a round of 16 exit, while Paraguay return to the World Cup for the first time since their quarter-final run at South Africa 2010, ending a 16-year absence.
In this blog, you will find everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the USA vs Paraguay World Cup match online, along with team news, kick-off times, squad lists, broadcast options, and tactical analysis.
Key Details
- Date: Friday, June 13, 2026 (kicks off 01:00 BST, Saturday June 14)
- Kick-off Time: 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT / 1:00 a.m. BST (June 14) / 10:00 a.m. AEST (June 14)
- Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California
- Where to Watch: Fox / Telemundo (USA) | ITV1 (UK) | SBS (Australia) | Zee5 (India)
Where to Watch USA vs. Paraguay Football World Cup Match?
In the USA, the match airs live on Fox in English and on Telemundo in Spanish, with both available to stream via Fox One and Peacock respectively. This is one of the most anticipated fixtures in American soccer history and will be widely available across free-to-air platforms.
In the UK, ITV1 carries the match free to air, with coverage and streaming also available through ITVX at no cost. Australian viewers can watch free on SBS and SBS On Demand. Indian fans can stream via Zee5, while fans in Paraguay can watch on Tigo Sports.
FIFA+ provides a free streaming option in regions where no local broadcaster holds rights. Canadian viewers can watch on TSN and CTV, while Latin American fans can access the match via DirecTV Sports across the region.
How to Watch USA vs. Paraguay with a VPN
If the match is unavailable in your region, a VPN unlocks free access to ITVX, which broadcasts every World Cup game free to UK residents.
ITVX is geoblocked to UK IP addresses, so connecting through a PureVPN server in the UK bypasses that restriction and grants full free access to the match. Follow these steps:
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to obtain a British IP address.
- Visit ITVX and sign in or create a free account.
- Search for the USA vs Paraguay match and start streaming live.
Note: Always check your local laws regarding VPN usage and review the terms of service of any streaming platform before connecting.
USA vs. Paraguay FIFA World Cup 2026 Team News
USA Team News
Mauricio Pochettino was appointed USMNT head coach in August 2024, becoming the most high-profile appointment in American soccer history. The Argentine previously managed Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea before taking on the national team role.
In the 2026 pre-tournament window, the USMNT lost three of four matches, falling to Germany, Portugal, and Belgium while beating Senegal 3-2 in their final warmup. Earlier in the cycle, wins over Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Australia provided grounds for optimism.
The only injury concern heading into the opener is centre-back Chris Richards, who suffered an ankle ligament injury on May 17. Pochettino confirmed publicly that the days immediately before the match would determine his fitness. Miles Robinson and Mark McKenzie were identified as ready replacements if Richards could not start.
Captain Christian Pulisic leads the attack from a wide position despite an inconsistent season at AC Milan, where he scored eight goals in Serie A. Folarin Balogun of Monaco, who scored 13 times in Ligue 1, is expected to lead the line as the central striker. Pochettino has experimented with a 3-4-3 and a 4-4-2 defensive block shifting into a 3-2-4-1 in possession, with Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie anchoring the midfield.
The USMNT have beaten Paraguay in their three most recent meetings, including a 2-1 victory in a November 2025 friendly involving many of the same players.
Paraguay Team News
Gustavo Alfaro, 63, was appointed Paraguay head coach in 2024 after the team won only one of six qualifying matches under previous coach Daniel Garnero. The Argentine, who previously managed Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup and Costa Rica, transformed Paraguay’s fortunes by returning them to a physical, defensively structured style with rapid transitions.
Paraguay qualified as the sixth and final automatic CONMEBOL team, finishing the campaign with home wins over Argentina and Brazil among their most notable results. They conceded only 14 goals across all 18 qualifying matches, reflecting the defensive solidity Alfaro built into the side.
Captain Gustavo Gómez, 33, is the most experienced player in the squad with 88 caps. The Palmeiras centre-back anchors the backline alongside Júnior Alonso and Omar Alderete. Key absentee Mathías Villasanti, a midfield regular through much of qualifying, tore his ACL and lateral meniscus in 2025 and lacked sufficient match fitness to make the squad.
Miguel Almirón, back at Atlanta United in MLS, is Paraguay’s most recognisable name and primary outlet on the counter. Julio Enciso of Strasbourg, who scored three goals during qualifying and provided six assists in Ligue 1, offers creativity and a threat between the lines. Alfaro’s system is a compact mid-block focused on defensive shape, set pieces, and exploiting transitions.
USA World Cup 2026 Squad
- Goalkeepers: Matt Turner, Matt Freese, Chris Brady
- Defenders: Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Auston Trusty, Miles Robinson, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Maximilian Arfsten, Mark McKenzie, Joe Scally
- Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Sebastian Berhalter, Cristian Roldan, Brenden Aaronson, Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman, Tim Weah, Alejandro Zendejas
- Forwards: Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright
Paraguay World Cup 2026 Squad
- Goalkeepers: Gatito Fernández, Orlando Gill, Gastón Olveira
- Defenders: Gustavo Gómez, Júnior Alonso, Fabián Balbuena, Omar Alderete, Juan Cáceres, Gustavo Velázquez, José Canale, Alexandro Maidana
- Midfielders: Andrés Cubas, Diego Gómez, Damián Bobadilla, Matías Galarza, Maurício Magalhães, Alejandro Romero Romero, Braian Ojeda, Miguel Almirón, Ramón Sosa
- Forwards: Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso, Gabriel Ávalos, Álex Arce, Isidro Pitta, Gustavo Caballero
USA vs Paraguay Match Preview
USA vs Paraguay takes place on Friday, June 13 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in the opening Group D fixture. The two nations last met at a World Cup in 1930, when Bert Patenaude scored the first hat-trick in World Cup history as the USA won 3-0 in Montevideo.
The USA qualified automatically as a co-host and have been preparing under Pochettino since August 2024. Paraguay navigated the toughest qualifying path in world football, grinding through 18 CONMEBOL matches to claim the sixth and final automatic berth with home wins over two of the sport’s biggest names.
For the USA, failure to win the group stage on home soil would represent an enormous national disappointment. For Paraguay, any points taken off the co-hosts in Los Angeles would validate their return to the tournament and strengthen their path to the round of 32, with Türkiye and Australia to follow.
Tactical Outlook
Pochettino’s USMNT will look to impose pressure through their transitional system, flooding wide areas through Dest, Freeman, and the Robinsons while Pulisic and Balogun look to combine centrally. Adams and McKennie provide the engine to win second balls and drive forward from midfield.
Alfaro’s Paraguay will defend in a compact mid-block and look to soak pressure before releasing Almirón and Enciso on the break. They gave up just 14 goals in 18 qualifying matches, so they will not be opened up easily.
The critical matchup is Pulisic and Balogun against Paraguay captain Gustavo Gómez and the defensive structure. If the USA can move the ball quickly and get in behind before Paraguay’s defensive lines set, they have the quality to win. If Paraguay can keep their shape and stay compact through the first 30 minutes, the game could turn into a physical second-half battle.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Schedule
| Date | Match | City | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 13 | Qatar vs. Switzerland | San Francisco | 23:00 |
| June 13 | Brazil vs. Morocco | New York/NJ | 19:00 |
| June 13 | USA vs. Paraguay | Los Angeles | 01:00 (June 14) |
| June 14 | Haiti vs. Scotland | Boston | 22:00 |
| June 14 | Germany vs. Curaçao | Houston | 22:00 |
| June 14 | Côte d’Ivoire vs. Ecuador | Philadelphia | 22:00 |
| June 14 | Australia vs. Türkiye | Vancouver | 00:00 (June 15) |
| June 14 | Netherlands vs. Japan | Dallas | 00:00 (June 15) |
| June 15 | Spain vs. Cabo Verde | Atlanta | 20:00 |
| June 15 | Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay | Miami | 21:00 |
| June 15 | Belgium vs. Egypt | Seattle | 23:00 |
| June 15 | Sweden vs. Tunisia | Monterrey | 01:00 (June 16) |
FIFA World Cup 2026: The Biggest Football Tournament in History
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, the 2026 World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in FIFA World Cup 2026
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event in order to comply with FIFA’s corporate name policy.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed the 2026 World Cup final will have a half-time show. Coldplay will be involved in putting together the event at MetLife Stadium, in a move inspired by the NFL’s Super Bowl.
The Stars to Watch in FIFA World Cup 2026
The 2026 World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for FIFA World Cup 2026
The prize money for the 2026 World Cup was confirmed at a FIFA Council meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
FIFA World Cup 2026 official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2026 in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 FIFA World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is more than a football tournament, it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
USA vs Paraguay takes place on Friday, June 13, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles. Kick-off is at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT / 1:00 a.m. BST on Saturday June 14.
Both teams are in Group D alongside Australia and Türkiye. The USA qualified automatically as a co-host nation. Paraguay qualified as the sixth automatic CONMEBOL team after a gruelling 18-match qualifying campaign.
Pulisic was confirmed fit and is expected to start as captain against Paraguay. The only fitness doubt in the USMNT squad was centre-back Chris Richards, who suffered an ankle ligament injury in May 2026.
The match airs on ITV1 in the United Kingdom, with free streaming also available through ITVX. Kick-off is at 1:00 a.m. BST on Saturday June 14.
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