USA vs Paraguay — World Cup 2026

FILE No. M-928CLASS: GROUP MATCHSTATUS: GROUP STAGEWC 2026 · LOS ANGELES

USA

4–1

Paraguay

Match events

D. Bobadilla (OG)7'0–1
F. BalogunGoal Disallowed - offside28'
F. Balogunassist C. Pulisic31'1–1
F. Balogunassist M. Tillman45+5'2–1
C. PulisicOn: S. Berhalter46'
T. Adams59'
S. DestOn: T. Weah72'
F. BalogunOn: R. Pepi72'
M. TillmanOn: G. Reyna82'
G. Reynaassist A. Freeman90+8'3–2

10'J. Caceres
46'D. BobadillaOn: Mauricio
53'M. Almiron
62'A. SanabriaOn: A. Arce
2–273'Mauricioassist J. Enciso
79'D. Gomez
79'M. AlmironOn: R. Sosa
79'J. CaceresOn: G. Velazquez
80'D. GomezOn: Kaku
88'A. Arce
90+3'J. Alonso

USAMatch statsPAR

65%Possession35%

16Shots9

6Shots on Target1

3Corners1

13Fouls17

1Yellow Cards5

USA — starting XI

4-2-3-1

Bench

14Sebastian Berhalter
21Tim Weah
9Ricardo Pepi
7Giovanni Reyna
1Matt Turner
25Chris Brady
6Auston Trusty
12Miles Robinson
22Mark McKenzie
23Joe Scally
18Maximilian Arfsten
15Cristian Roldán
11Brenden Aaronson
26Alex Zendejas
19Haji Wright

Paraguay — starting XI

4-4-2

Bench

11Mauricio
18Alex Arce
2Gustavo Velázquez
7Ramón Sosa
17Alejandro Romero
22Gastón Olveira
1Roberto Fernández
5Fabián Balbuena
26Alexandro Maidana
13José Canale
20Braian Ojeda
24Gustavo Caballero
23Matías Galarza
21Gabriel Ávalos
25Isidro Pitta

All-time meetings

USA wins

Draws

Paraguay wins

02 · Tale of the Tape

Tale of the tape.

26.9

Average Age

20.8

03 · The Form Guide

Last five walks into the room.

Who's hotter going in? Latest competitive results, newest first.

USA

Jun 13

vs Paraguay

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · SoFi Stadium

4–1

Jun 6

vs Germany

Friendlies · Friendly International · Soldier Field

1–2

May 31

vs Senegal

Friendlies · Friendly International · Bank of America Stadium

3–2

Mar 31

vs Portugal

Friendlies · Friendly International · Mercedes-Benz Stadium

0–2

Mar 28

vs Belgium

Friendlies · Friendly International · Mercedes-Benz Stadium

2–5

Paraguay

Jun 13

at USA

World Cup · Group Stage - 1 · SoFi Stadium

1–4

Jun 5

vs Nicaragua

Friendlies · Friendly International · Estadio Defensores del Chaco

4–0

Mar 31

at Morocco

Friendlies · Friendly International · Stade Bollaert-Delelis

1–2

Mar 27

at Greece

Friendlies · Friendly International · Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium

1–0

Nov 19

at Mexico

Friendlies · Friendlies 1 · Alamodome

2–1

05 · Key Battles

Three duels that decide it.

// Left wing vs Right back · The Directness Test

C. Pulišić

#10 · AC Milan

G. Velázquez

#2 · Newells Old Boys

Pulišić's intelligence and press resistance will test whether Velázquez can hold a high line without getting turned inside. The AC Milan forward thrives in tight spaces; the Newells full-back prefers a physical approach. If USA commits to early service, this becomes Pulišić's to control.

// Midfield Press · The Tempo Controllers

J. Cardoso

#15 · Atletico Madrid

R. Sosa

#7 · Nottingham Forest

Two ball-carriers who thrive on transition: Cardoso's aggressive Atlético-bred pressing against Sosa's threading passes from the Nottingham Forest press-resistant setup. This duel dictates rhythm. Cardoso's work rate could suffocate Sosa's space, but one loose touch and Paraguay break.

// Centre-forward vs Centre-back · The Physical Reckoning

Pepi's PSV sharpness in the box meets Balbuena's Dynamo durability. The striker will seek early isolation; the defender's positioning and communication will be crucial. Balbuena's experience often wins these, but Pepi's energy could prove tiresome over 90 minutes.

06 · Style Clash