USA and Paraguay Open Group D at Home World Cup in Los Angeles. Group D kicks off in Los Angeles: the USA faces Paraguay amid high competition and expectations. The match is accompanied by a grand opening ceremony and a decisive clash between team leaders.
Today in Los Angeles, Group D of the FIFA World Cup kicks off: the hosts, the USA national team, face Paraguay. The match draws special attention—not only are the Americans hosting the tournament, but they also take the field after four years of preparation, while their opponent is determined to seize any opportunity in their debut game. The atmosphere is further energized by a large-scale opening ceremony featuring Katy Perry, LISA, Rema, Anitta, and Future, which FOX Sports has already called the brightest among the three World Cup opening shows.
The USA enters the match as favorites, but under the pressure of high expectations. The team is led by experienced coach Mauricio Pochettino, with Christian Pulisic from AC Milan and Weston McKennie from Juventus as key players on the field. Despite three consecutive wins over South American teams, including a tense friendly in November (2:1), the Americans face defensive issues—having conceded 11 goals in their last four games. For Pochettino, this opener is a chance to change the national team's history after years of setbacks.
Paraguay returns to the world stage for the first time since 2010 and has no intention of settling for the role of underdog. Head coach Gustavo Alfaro is counting on organized defense but admits the team lacks attacking sharpness, especially with Enciso's injury. If he is not fully fit, the main attacking responsibility will fall on Miguel Almirón of Atlanta United, whose speed could be a factor in quick counterattacks. Alfaro emphasizes that the team feels no pressure of expectations and is ready to fight for every opportunity.
Particular attention is focused on the duel of the leaders: Pulisic, despite an imperfect season, remains the USA's main weapon, while Almirón is Paraguay's hope for quick attacks. The November match between these teams was not without conflict, which adds extra intensity to today's meeting.
The opening ceremony in Los Angeles became the third of this World Cup: earlier shows were held in Mexico City and Toronto. The organizers are betting on a global commercial impact and a spectacular show, and for American fans, this evening is a historic moment. Interest in the tournament in the U.S. is especially high against the backdrop of recent high-profile events involving the country's participation in international affairs, for example, the story involving the granting of citizenship to a defendant in an extortion case also caused a stir in Spanish and American media.
For reference: Paraguay has not qualified for the World Cup since 2010, when the team stopped in the quarterfinals, losing to future champions Spain. The USA, on the other hand, regularly participates in major tournaments but has recently faced criticism for inconsistent results. In 2026, the country will host the World Cup for the first time in many years, increasing the pressure on players and coaching staff. Group D also includes two other teams, and the result of the opening match could determine the balance of power for the coming weeks.
