The United States kick off their World Cup campaign tonight when they take on Paraguay in Los Angeles.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side head into the tournament after mixed results in their warm-up fixtures. An impressive 3-2 win over Senegal showcased their attacking potential, but that was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Germany.
Paraguay arrive with far less expectation but could prove dangerous opponents. Gustavo Alfaro guided La Albirroja back to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 after securing sixth place in CONMEBOL qualifying.
One of the standout moments of their qualification campaign was a 2-1 win over world champions Argentina.
The South Americans were beaten 2-1 by the USA in a friendly last November, but they have responded positively since then, winning three of their last four matches.
Where to watch USA vs Paraguay: TV channel, online live stream
Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm local time in Los Angeles on Friday, and 2am on Saturday morning for those watching in the UK.
The match will be broadcast live on BBC 1, with UK viewers also having access online through BBC iPlayer.
Stats for USA vs Paraguay
- The USA are appearing at their 12th World Cup.
- The Americans have reached the knockout stage in each of their last three World Cup appearances.
- The USA reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2002, their best modern-era finish.
- Mauricio Pochettino’s side defeated Paraguay 2-1 in a friendly in November 2025.
- The United States beat Senegal 3-2 during their World Cup preparations.
- Paraguay are competing in their ninth World Cup finals.
- La Albirroja’s best World Cup performance came in 2010 when they reached the quarter-finals.
- Paraguay secured a notable 2-1 victory over Argentina during CONMEBOL qualifying.
- Tonny Sanabria was Paraguay’s leading scorer in qualification with four goals.
- Paraguay have won three of their last four matches heading into the tournament.
Responsible Gambling
Gambling should always be approached as entertainment, not as a way to generate income. If you ever feel that gambling is becoming a problem, there are several organisations you can contact for free, confidential support.
Tools available through bet365 include deposit limits, session time reminders, loss limits, self-exclusion and Reality Checks. These can be accessed via the Safer Gambling section of your account at any time. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
