- Friday 14
- Saturday 15
- Sunday 16
- Monday 17
- Tuesday 18
- Wednesday 19
- Thursday 20
- Friday 21
- Saturday 22
- Sunday 23
- Monday 24
USA vs Paraguay Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - USA to take down pragmatic Paraguay in Group D opener
USA face Paraguay in the opening Group D match at the 2026 World Cup in Los Angeles, with the co-hosts tipped for a strong start. The USA boasts a solid recent World Cup record and attacking talents such as Balogun and Pulisic, while Paraguay enters the clash with defensive tactics and question marks over star playmaker Enciso's fitness. Historical and recent form advantages lie with the USA. Prediction: USA to win, likely with a clean sheet and Balogun on the scoresheet. Live streaming is available on bet365 for eligible users.
- 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
Expired
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.
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 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
Log in to see offers
18+ only. T&Cs apply. What are you really gambling with? Call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au.
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.
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.
USA 2-0
Correct Score
$7.75 - 1 Unit
Australia's #1 bookmaker
Use the code "BLACKBOOK"
The Ladbrokes.com.au code is BLACKBOOK. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. CHANCES ARE YOU'RE ABOUT TO LOSE. Set a deposit limit.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
14 August 2026
- Fremantle Dockers vs Adelaide Crows -
- AFL
- Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Valentin Royer -
- Tennis
- Tamara Korpatsch vs Maya Joint -
- Tennis
- Nuno Borges vs Thanasi Kokkinakis -
- Tennis
- Sporting CP vs Vitoria Guimaraes -
- Soccer
15 August 2026
- Doomben - August 15 -
- Horse Racing
- Caulfield- August 15 -
- Horse Racing
- Richmond Tigers vs St Kilda Saints -
- AFL
- Rosehill - August 15 -
- Horse Racing
- Saturday Roughies - August 15 -
- Horse Racing
- Morphettville - August 15 -
- Horse Racing
- Cronulla Sharks vs Canberra Raiders -
- Rugby League
- Caulfield Super Dabble -
- Horse Racing
- North Melbourne vs Geelong Cats -
- AFL
- PB Lawrence Stakes -
- Horse Racing
- Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast Suns -
- AFL
- Belmont - August 15 -
- Horse Racing
- Parramatta Eels vs North Queensland Cowboys -
- Rugby League
- Brisbane Broncos vs New Zealand Warriors -
- Rugby League
- Hawthorn vs Collingwood -
- AFL
- Port Adelaide vs Melbourne Demons -
- AFL
16 August 2026
- Greater Western Sydney Giants vs West Coast Eagles -
- AFL
- Newcastle Knights vs Gold Coast Titans NRL Round 24 Tips -
- Rugby League
- Carlton vs Western Bulldogs -
- AFL
- Wests Tigers vs St George Illawarra Dragons -
- Rugby League
- Essendon vs Sydney Swans -
- AFL
Load More
