USA vs Paraguay: World Cup preview, predictions and bet builder tips

Our prediction: USA 2-1 Paraguay

USA

Our predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Freese / Freeman, McKenzie, Ream / Dest, Adams, McKennie, Robinson / Pulisic, Tillman / Balogun

Paraguay

Our predicted XI (4-3-3): Fernandez / Caceres, Alderete, G. Gomez, Alonso / Bobadilla, Cubas / D. Gomez, Enciso, Almiron / Sanabria

Co-hosts USA play their first World Cup match on home soil since the 1994 edition which they hosted themselves, when they advanced to the round of 16. They've only once made it further than that, when they reached the quarter-finals in 2002, and a similar run would be a success for Pochettino's side. The USMNT begin their campaign against Paraguay, who they beat in a friendly back in November 2-1.

It's Paraguay's first appearance at a World Cup since 2010 when they made it to the quarter-finals, and they'll fancy their chances of causing an upset in the curtain raiser. Paraguay thumped Nicaragua 4-0 in their pre-tournament send-off, although key man Julio Enciso is an injury worry. A result here would go a long way to boosting their chances of progressing from Group D.

After much debate on Pochettino's best team, he appears to have a settled side, and the US looked good in a 2-1 defeat to Germany, going toe-to-toe with the European heavyweights for much of the contest. They beat Senegal 3-2 in their other friendly, who are more than decent themselves. The question is whether the USA can deal with the pressure on home soil, and we're predicting that in their opening game, they will just about do so, beating a resilient Paraguay side 2-1.

The hopes of a nation will be resting on Christian Pulisic this summer, as 'Captain America' hopes to lead his country on a dream run on home soil. There is plenty of talent alongside him these days, such as Folarin Balogun and Weston McKennie, but there is no doubting who the USA's star man is.

Pulisic ended an eight-game goal drought for the USMNT in their 3-2 friendly win over Senegal, a much-needed confidence boost for a man who knows only too well the pressure and expectation on him. We're backing him to rise to the occasion in the USA's opener in Los Angeles by having at least one shot on target.

Former Newcastle United winger Miguel Almiron is set to play a key role for Paraguay at the World Cup, operating as part of a fluid front three behind the striker along with Brighton's Diego Gomez and ex-Brighton man Julio Enciso. Enciso is a fitness doubt for the opener after sustaining an injury against Nicaragua, during which Almiron scored a superb second in an encouraging 4-0 win.

That was his 10th goal in 76 caps, and his experience will be crucial if Paraguay are to go far. He'll shoulder even more of the burden if Enciso is nursing an injury. After producing one of the best Premier League purple patches ever, could Almiron unlock another on the biggest stage? We're tipping him to have a shot on target in the opening game.

Paraguay midfielder Andres Cubas plies his trade in the MLS for Vancouver Whitecaps, so he will be fully acclimatised ahead of the tournament starting. In the 2026 MLS season, Cubas has already picked up five yellow cards in 11 games, while no Paraguay player received more yellow cards in CONMEBOL qualification than his four bookings. We're tipping the tough-tackling Cubas to be shown a card as part of our USA vs Paraguay bet builder.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.