2026 FIFA World Cup

USA vs Paraguay Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - USA to take down pragmatic Paraguay in Group D opener

Andrew Hendrie

Editor

Last updated: Thu 11 Jun 2026 02:46

Andrew Hendrie 1 hour ago

Share this article

USA vs Paraguay predictions for Friday's World Cup Group D game
USA backed for a clean sheet against cagey Paraguay
Balogun and Pulisic key for USA; Paraguay likely missing Enciso
The game is scheduled for kick off at 11.00am AEST on Saturday June 13

USA v Paraguay Live StreamWatch live online at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026. T&Cs apply. Watch and bet Starts in To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.

USA vs Paraguay Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

USA will be confident of securing all three points when the co-hosts welcome Paraguay to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday night to open Group D action.

USA vs Paraguay Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
USA vs Paraguay Stats & Trends
USA vs Paraguay Head To Head
USA Form Analysis
USA Team News
Paraguay Form Analysis
Paraguay Team News
USA vs Paraguay Live Stream

Having reached the knockout phase of the World Cup in their last three appearances, USA will be hopeful of emulating their last run to the quarter-finals, which occurred on home soil in 1994. Equipped with a strong side all over the field, USA have been battling the big guns in recent friendly fixtures - and while they didn't have much success, I believe that will hold the Stars & Stripes in good stead ahead of Group D showdowns with Paraguay, Turkiye and Australia.

Paraguay meanwhile tend to struggle on foreign soil and don't inspire much confidence going forward, especially with star playmaker Julio Enciso suffering a knee injury last week in a warm-up game. Paraguay averaged just 0.78 goals per game during qualifying, which is the lowest of any nation competing at the World Cup. They are a team that prefer to sit back and absorb pressure, relying on set pieces and counter attack opportunities.

This is simply a very winnable game for USA to launch their campaign and relieve any early pressure. I'm backing Mauricio Pochettino's side to produce a shut-out victory, with in-form Monaco striker Folarin Balogun finding the back of the net.

USA vs Paraguay Stats & Trends

USA are unbeaten in eight of their last nine World Cup group games
USA only conceded one goal in their three group matches at the 2022 World Cup
Paraguay have failed to win seven of their last eight World Cup opening games
Paraguay averaged just 0.78 goals per game during qualifying
Paraguay have conceded exactly two goals in their last three defeats
USA have scored exactly two goals in three of their last five wins
Folarin Balogun scored 11 goals in his last 14 games for Monaco, along with five goals from 10 Champions League appearances
Balogun has also scored four goals in his last nine outings for USA, including one vs Paraguay late last year

USA vs Paraguay Head To Head

It's almost 100 years since the last time these nations met in a World Cup, with USA coming away with a 3-0 triumph in 1930.

USA have won the last three meetings, including a 2-1 friendly triumph in 2025.

USA Form Analysis

USA secured automatic qualification as one of the three host nations and will be looking to emulate their 1994 run to the quarter-finals on home soil.

With three straight knockout appearances, USA are currently ranked 16th in the world and will be targeting another good run here in their 12th World Cup.

The Stars & Stripes registered four solid wins over Australia, Japan, Paraguay and Uruguay to end 2025, showcasing their ability to beat those ranked around and below them.

However, USA remain a class above the elite nations, losing friendlies in 2026 against Belgium, Portugal and German - although they did manage a 3-2 victory over Senegal.

USA Team News

Chris Richards, Tyler Adams and Antonee Robinson are all battling fitness concerns, but could take their place in the side for this opening game.

Christian Pulisic remains a star player and made contributions to all three goals for the USA at the 2022 World Cup, along with the first two goals vs Senegal recently.

He will support Folarin Balogun up front, with the Monaco striker scoring 19 goals for his club in all competitions last term.

USA Squad

Position	Player	Age	Caps	Goals	Club
GK	Matt Turner	31	54	0	New England Revolution
GK	Matt Freese	27	15	0	New York City FC
GK	Chris Brady	22	1	0	Chicago Fire
DF	Sergiño Dest	25	39	3	PSV Eindhoven
DF	Chris Richards	26	36	3	Crystal Palace
DF	Antonee Robinson	28	54	5	Fulham
DF	Auston Trusty	27	8	0	Celtic
DF	Miles Robinson	29	40	3	FC Cincinnati
DF	Tim Ream (Captain)	38	82	1	Charlotte FC
DF	Alex Freeman	21	17	2	Villarreal
DF	Max Arfsten	25	20	1	Columbus Crew
DF	Mark McKenzie	27	29	0	Toulouse
DF	Joe Scally	23	26	0	Borussia Mönchengladbach
MF	Tyler Adams	27	54	2	Bournemouth
MF	Giovanni Reyna	23	38	9	Borussia Mönchengladbach
MF	Weston McKennie	27	66	12	Juventus
MF	Sebastian Berhalter	25	13	1	Vancouver Whitecaps
MF	Cristian Roldan	31	47	0	Seattle Sounders
MF	Malik Tillman	24	30	3	Bayer Leverkusen
FW	Ricardo Pepi	23	37	13	PSV Eindhoven
FW	Christian Pulisic	27	86	33	Milan
FW	Brenden Aaronson	25	58	9	Leeds United
FW	Haji Wright	28	20	7	Coventry City
FW	Folarin Balogun	24	27	9	Monaco
FW	Timothy Weah	26	51	7	Marseille
FW	Alejandro Zendejas	28	14	2	América

Paraguay Form Analysis

Paraguay are making their ninth World Cup appearance after finishing sixth in South American qualifying, level on points with the likes of Brazil and Uruguay.

The clear high point of their qualifying campaign was a 2-1 win over reigning world champions Argentina, but that victory did come on home soil - like most of their wins.

Five of Paraguay's 14 goals during qualifying came from set pieces, showcasing their preference to sit back, absorb pressure and wait for their opportunities.

Gustavo Alfaro's side have since lost on foreign soil to the likes of USA, South Korea and Morocco, but did manage to beat Greece earlier this year, along with last-start 4-0 thumping of lowly Nicaragua.

Paraguay Team News

There was huge concerns over Strasbourg playmaker Julio Enciso, who was stretchered off in tears during the win over Nicaragua.

However, he's since been cleared of a serious knee injury and could still play a part in the tournament - but is likely to miss this clash.

Much of their attacking threat will come from Cremonese striker Antonio Sanabria, who was top scorer with four goals during qualifying.

Paraguay Squad

Position	Player	Age	Caps	Goals	Club
GK	Gatito Fernández	38	31	0	Cerro Porteño
GK	Orlando Gill	25	6	0	San Lorenzo
GK	Gastón Olveira	33	1	0	Olimpia
DF	Gustavo Velázquez	35	13	1	Cerro Porteño
DF	Omar Alderete	29	36	3	Sunderland
DF	Juan José Cáceres	26	17	0	Dynamo Moscow
DF	Fabián Balbuena	34	48	2	Grêmio
DF	Júnior Alonso	33	71	3	Atlético Mineiro
DF	José Canale	29	2	0	Lanús
DF	Gustavo Gómez	33	89	4	Palmeiras
DF	Alexandro Maidana	20	2	1	Talleres
MF	Ramón Sosa	26	29	1	Palmeiras
MF	Diego Gómez	23	24	3	Brighton & Hove Albion
MF	Miguel Almirón	32	76	10	Atlanta United
MF	Maurício	24	3	0	Palmeiras
MF	Andrés Cubas	30	33	0	Vancouver Whitecaps
MF	Damián Bobadilla	24	19	1	São Paulo
MF	Kaku	31	33	6	Al Ain
MF	Braian Ojeda	25	17	0	Orlando City
MF	Matías Galarza	24	15	3	Atlanta United
MF	Gustavo Caballero	24	2	1	Portsmouth
FW	Antonio Sanabria	30	48	7	Cremonese
FW	Álex Arce	30	15	1	Independiente Rivadavia
FW	Julio Enciso	22	32	4	Strasbourg
FW	Gabriel Ávalos	34	23	2	Independiente
FW	Isidro Pitta	26	5	0	Red Bull Bragantino

USA vs Paraguay Live Stream

Watch and bet on USA vs Paraguay live football from the World Cup.

You can watch and bet on the match live at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026 with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access.

To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming on bet365 is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.

Verdict

USA v Paraguay

USA should prove too strong for a defensive-minded Paraguayan outfit - backing Balogun to continue his red-hot goalscoring form.

USA Win

H2H

$1.96 - 3 Units

Daily Racing Rewards

18+ only. T&Cs apply. What are you really gambling with? Call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au.

Bet at Unibet Australia

USA

Win To Nil

$3.00 - 2 Units

Download the dabble app

with referral code BETSAU

Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.

Bet at dabble

Folarin Balogun

Anytime Goalscorer

$3.10 - 1 Unit

Same Game & Race Multis

Use affiliate code BETSAU

Exciting new betting app now live. Use code BETSAU on sign-up. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Imagine what you could be buying instead.

Bet at picklebet

USA 2-0

Correct Score

$7.75 - 1 Unit

Australia's #1 bookmaker