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US Opens World Cup vs Paraguay, Pulisic Leads

6/13/2026

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Summary

Pochettino Opens

Mauricio Pochettino opens the U.S. World Cup against Paraguay on June 12 at 8 p.m. CT in SoFi Stadium.
The 26-player roster includes Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Matt Freese and Chris Richards, cleared after an ankle injury.
Betting odds list the United States at -110, a draw at +240 and Paraguay at +320.
Pochettino uses a 3-4-2-1 that can become 4-4-2, yet the U.S. has allowed two-plus goals in four friendlies and has not kept a clean sheet since September 2025.

Summary

World Cup Begins

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs June 11–July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
The United States qualified automatically as co-host after a 2-1 loss to Trinidad & Tobago eliminated it in 2018.
The opening group match versus Paraguay on June 12 streams free on Tubi in the United States.

Summary

USA Eyes Quarterfinal

The 2026 World Cup adds a Round of 32, a stage the United States has never played.
Finishing second in Group D could set up a decisive match against Turkey in Los Angeles.
A quarter-final win would likely pit the hosts against Messi’s Argentina at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Advancing further could lead to a semifinal versus England under Thomas Tuchel or a final against Spain’s Lamine Yamal at MetLife Stadium.

History

Historical Context

FIFA awarded the United States the 1994 World Cup on July 4 1988; the tournament ran June 17–July 17 1994, drew a record 3,587,538 spectators and spurred the creation of Major League Soccer in 1993. That success underpins today’s 2026 co-hosting by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the opening match slated for SoFi Stadium.

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Pochettino Opens

Mauricio Pochettino opens the U.S. World Cup against Paraguay on June 12 at 8 p.m. CT in SoFi Stadium.
The 26-player roster includes Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Matt Freese and Chris Richards, cleared after an ankle injury.
Betting odds list the United States at -110, a draw at +240 and Paraguay at +320.
Pochettino uses a 3-4-2-1 that can become 4-4-2, yet the U.S. has allowed two-plus goals in four friendlies and has not kept a clean sheet since September 2025.

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