USMNT Ready to Kick Off FIFA World Cup 2026 Against Paraguay
USA Set for FIFA World Cup Opener as Group D Gets Underway in United States; Kickoff From Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. is 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET on FOX and Telemundo
LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Men’s National Team will kick off its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on Friday, June 10 against Paraguay. Returning to the World Cup after a Round of 16 finish in 2022, the USA will face Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye in Group D.
Kickoff for USA-Paraguay from Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. is 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET on FOX and Telemundo.
The first step on Friday night. pic.twitter.com/rqvA99ihig
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 11, 2026
DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club/Country; Caps/Goals)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Chris Brady (Chicago Fire; 1/0), Matt Freese (New York City FC; 15/0), Matt Turner (New England Revolution; 54/0)
DEFENDERS (10): Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew; 20/1), Sergiño Dest (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 39/3), Alex Freeman (Villarreal/ESP; 17/2), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse/FRA; 29/0), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC; 82/1), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace/ENG; 36/3), Antonee Robinson (Fulham/ENG; 54/5), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati; 40/3), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 26/0), Auston Trusty (Celtic/SCO; 8/0)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Tyler Adams (AFC Bournemouth/ENG; 54/2), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps; 13/1), Weston McKennie (Juventus/ITA; 66/12), Gio Reyna (Borussia Mönchengladbach/GER; 38/9), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders; 47/0), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen/GER; 30/3)
FORWARDS (7): Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United/ENG; 58/9), Folarin Balogun (Monaco/FRA; 27/9), Ricardo Pepi (PSV Eindhoven/NED; 37/13), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/ITA; 86/33), Tim Weah (Olympique Marseille/FRA; 51/7), Haji Wright (Coventry City/ENG; 20/7), Alex Zendejas (Club América/MEX; 14/2)
USA SCHEDULE - 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Time (PT) | TV Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, June 12 | Paraguay | Los Angeles Stadium; Inglewood, Calif. | 6 p.m. | FOX, Telemundo |
| Friday, June 19 | Australia | Seattle Stadium; Seattle, Wash. | 12 p.m. | FOX, Telemundo |
| Thursday, June 25 | Türkiye | Los Angeles Stadium; Inglewood, Calif. | 7 p.m. | FOX, Telemundo |
A BAKER’S DOZEN BACK ON THE BIG STAGE
Thirteen players – half the roster – were part of the U.S. squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, tying the U.S. mark for the highest number of returnees between consecutive World Cups, first set between the 1994 and 1998 editions. The veterans of the Qatar tournament include all three goalscorers: Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah and Haji Wright.
Eight players on the FIFA World Cup roster started all four matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup: Tyler Adams, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Matt Turner and Tim Weah.
The complete list of players to make consecutive World Cup rosters: Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, Gio Reyna, Antonee Robinson, Cristian Roldan, Joe Scally, Matt Turner, Tim Weah and Haji Wright.
NO STONE UNTURNED
Since taking over in September of 2024, Pochettino and the coaching staff have gone deep into the National Team player pool to identify and give opportunities to players seeking a coveted spot on the World Cup roster. In total, 62 players have earned a cap under Pochettino since October 2024. They came from 16 different leagues in 12 different countries. On the scoring front, 22 different players have contributed to the 42 goals scored under Pochettino, with Malik Tillman, Haji Wright and Folarin Balogun each tallying three goals during his tenure.
USA ROSTER NOTES
USA-PARAGUAY
PARAGUAY ROSTER BY POSITION (CLUB; CAPS/GOALS)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Roberto Fernández (Cerro Porteño/PAR; 37/0), Orlando Gil (San Lorenzo/ARG; 2/0), Gastón Olveira (Olympia/PAR; 3/0)
DEFENDERS (8): Omar Alderete (Sunderland/ENG; 35/3), Júnior Alonso (Atlético Mineiro/BRA; 70/3), Fabián Balbuena (Grêmio/BRA; 47/2), Juan José Cáceres (Dynamo Moscow/RUS;16/0), José Canale (Lanús/ARG, 2/0), Gustavo Gómez (Palmeiras/BRA; 89/4), Alexandro Maidana (Talleres/ARG; 2/1), Gustavo Velázquez (Cerro Porteño/PAR; 13/1)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Damián Bobadilla (São Paulo/BRA; 19/1), Gustavo Caballero (Portsmouth/ENG; 2/1), Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps; 32/0), Matías Galarza (Atlanta United/USA; 15/3), Diego Gomez (Brighton & Hove Albion/ENG; 23/3), Maurício (Palmeiras/BRA; 2/0), Braian Ojeda (Orlando City/USA; 17/0), Alejandro Romero Gamarra (Al Ain/UAE; 35/5), Ramón Sosa (Palmeiras/BRA; 29/1)
FORWARDS (5): Gabriel Avalos (Independiente/ARG; 22/2), Alex Arce (Independiente Rivadavia/ARG; 14/1), Julio Enciso (Strasbourg/FRA; 32/4), Isidro Pitta (Red Bull Bragantino/BRA; 5/0), Antonio Sanabria (Cremonese/ITA; 48/7)
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Paraguay returns to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years, making its ninth appearance. The last meeting between the U.S. and Paraguay was on November 15, 2025 in an international friendly in Chester, Pa. The match ended in a 2-1 U.S. victory … En route to qualification Paraguay defeated CONMEBOL giants Brazil 1-0 and Argentina 2-1... Midfielder Miguel Almiron plays for MLS club Atlanta United where he was teammates with the recently retired former U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who was teammates with current USMNT defender Miles Robinson … In 2010 Paraguay recorded its best finish making it to the quarterfinals against eventual World Cup champion Spain … Alongside the United States, Paraguay was one of 13 teams to participate in the inaugural 1930 World Cup … Former forward Roque Santana Crus is Paraguay’s all-time leading goal scorer with 32 goals.
PARAGUAY HEAD COACH GUSTAVO ALFARO
Paraguay is led by 63-year-old Argentine Gustavo Alfaro. Alfaro—who transitioned to coaching Atlético de Rafaela in 1992 after a four-year playing career with the club—has coached several clubs and national teams across the globe. Alfaro spent the majority of his career coaching Arsenal de Sarandí, leading the Argentine side to victory in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana (2007), Primera División (2012 Clausura) and Copa Argentina (2012-13). In addition to coaching Boca Juniors (2018-20), San Lorenzo de Almagro (2005) and Rosario Central (2008-09), Alfaro has coached two additional national teams: Ecuador (2020-23) and Costa Rica (2023-24), guiding the former during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.