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World Cup 2026 Live: United States vs. Paraguay, Group D match
🇵🇦 Panama /Sports

World Cup 2026 Live: United States vs. Paraguay, Group D match

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The United States men's national soccer team begins its 2026 World Cup campaign against Paraguay in Inglewood, California.
  • The US, coached by Mauricio Pochettino, has high expectations playing on home soil, led by European-based players like Christian Pulisic.
  • Paraguay, managed by Gustavo Alfaro, aims to surprise but faces the setback of losing key attacker Julio Enciso to injury.

The United States men's national soccer team kicks off its 2026 FIFA World Cup journey today, facing Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California. As co-hosts, the "Stars and Stripes" enter the tournament with considerable expectations, bolstered by playing on home turf.

Under the guidance of Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino, the U.S. squad is at full strength, with no last-minute injury concerns. The team's attack is spearheaded by talents with European experience, notably Christian Pulisic. Securing three points in this opening match is crucial, as Group D is anticipated to be highly competitive.

The "Stars and Stripes," under the technical direction of Mauricio Pochettino, arrive at their World Cup appointment with high expectations playing on home soil.

— Article authorDescribing the U.S. team's outlook and coaching staff.

Paraguay, known as "La Albirroja," enters the tournament with the ambition of causing an upset. Their solid starting lineup features midfielder Andrés Cubas and offensive focal point Miguel Almirón. However, the team suffered a significant blow before the tournament when their primary attacker, Julio Enciso, sustained a thigh injury during a recent friendly against Nicaragua, ruling him out of the opening match.

The "Albirroja" of Gustavo Alfaro faces this debut with the illusion of causing a surprise, based on its solid starting lineup.

— Article authorCharacterizing Paraguay's approach and team strength.

In Enciso's absence, midfielder Diego Gómez is expected to play a more prominent role in Paraguay's playmaking. The recent history between the two nations includes a closely contested friendly on November 15, 2025, where the United States secured a 2-1 victory with goals from Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun, while Álex Arce scored for Paraguay.

Both teams are eager to make a strong start in a challenging Group D, which also includes Turkey and Australia. The match will be broadcast on TVMAX, TVN Pass, and TVN Radio 96.5 FM.

No obstante, the South American squad suffered a sensitive setback before the tournament: its main attacker, Julio Enciso, was ruled out for this initial match due to a thigh injury.

— Article authorDetailing the injury to Paraguay's key player, Julio Enciso.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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