USMNT vs. Paraguay: Opponent Profile, Recent Form & History | OneFootball

The U.S. Men’s National Team will face Paraguay on Friday, June 12 in its opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The contest represents the USMNT’s first FIFA World Cup match on home soil since a narrow 1-0 loss in the Round of 16 against eventual 1994 FIFA World Cup champions Brazil at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif. on July 4, 1994.

Here’s everything you need to know about Paraguay before they face the USMNT.

WHEN IS THE USMNT VS. PARAGUAY MATCH?

The United States will open its FIFA World Cup 2026™ campaign against CONMEBOL side Paraguay on Friday, June 12 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT at Los Angeles Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. The match will be carried live on FOX and Telemundo.

WHAT IS THE ALL-TIME HISTORY BETWEEN THE USMNT AND PARAGUAY?

The USMNT maintains a 5W-2L-2D record against Paraguay in a series dating back to the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930. In the United States’ second group stage match of the tournament, Bert Patenaude made history by scoring the first hat trick at the FIFA World Cup, lifting the USMNT to a 3-0 victory. The pair did not meet again until a scoreless draw in St. Louis, Mo. in 1997, later matching up again in a 2-2 draw in San Diego, Calif. The USA’s first loss against Paraguay came in the form of a 3-1 loss in Venezuela at the 2007 Copa América.

The USA is riding a three-match winning streak against Paraguay, most recently defeating the side in a fiery affair in Chester, Pa. on Nov. 16, 2025. Midfielder Gio Reyna and striker Folarin Balogun – two players on Mauricio Pochettino’s current roster – scored on either side of halftime amid a five-match unbeaten streak for the USMNT against World Cup-bound and top 40-ranked nations.

WHAT IS PARAGUAY’S WORLD RANKING?

Paraguay is currently ranked 41st in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Rankings. 

WHAT IS PARAGUAY’S RECENT FORM?

Paraguay has prepared for its first FIFA World Cup appearance since 2010 by facing five quality opponents hailing from four different confederations. Following its 2-1 loss against the United States last November, Paraguay pulled a shock upset against Mexico in San Antonio, Texas to round out the year. In 2026, La Albirroja defeated Greece in Piraeus, Greece, fell to Morrocco 2-1 in Lens, France, and thumped Nicaragua 4-0 in Asunción to close out their World Cup preparations.

WHO IS PARAGUAY’S HEAD COACH?

Paraguay is led by 63-year-old Argentine Gustavo Alfaro. Alfaro—who transitioned to coaching Atlético de Rafaela in 1992 after a four-year playing career with the club—has coached several clubs and national teams across the globe. Alfaro spent the majority of his career coaching Arsenal de Sarandí, leading the Argentine side to victory in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana (2007), Primera División (2012 Clausura) and Copa Argentina (2012-13). In addition to coaching Boca Juniors (2018-20), San Lorenzo de Almagro (2005) and Rosario Central (2008-09), Alfaro has coached two additional national teams: Ecuador (2020-23) and Costa Rica (2023-24), guiding the former during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

WHO ARE KEY PARAGUAYAN PLAYERS TO WATCH?

Paraguay is led by a youthful collection of talented midfielders: 22-year-old Julio Enciso of RC Strasbourg Alsace, 23-year-old Diego Gómez of Brighton & Hove Albion FC and 24-year-old Maurício of SE Palmeiras. During the 25/26 club campaign, the trio totaled a combined 26 goals and 12 assists across all competitions. Of note, Enciso exited Paraguay’s last match against Nicaragua with an injury—his status for Friday’s match is unclear.

Four players from Paraguay’s 26-man roster currently play in Major League Soccer (MLS): Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United FC), Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Braian Ojeda (Orlando City SC), and Matías Galarza (Atlanta United FC). Cubas currently plays alongside USMNT midfielder Sebastian Berhalter in Vancouver; the pair have shared the pitch 104 times across all competitions for the ‘Caps and won the Canadian Championship on three occasions (2022-24).