The United States and Paraguay are squaring off in both teams’ group stage opener on Friday, June 12 at 9:00 p.m. ET on FOX and in Spanish on Telemundo and Peacock. The match is at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Ahead of kick-off, the United States enters as favorites with a 1.88x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
This is the first game for both the United States and Paraguay in Group D, which also includes Australia and Türkiye.
Below, we’ll break down our United States vs. Paraguay prediction and picks for Friday night’s World Cup 2026 match, including the spread, total goals, and key player picks for PrizePicks.
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USA World Cup 2026 Opener: USA vs. Paraguay Prediction, Spread, Over/Under – Friday, June 12
How to watch United States vs. Paraguay: FOX (English) | Telemundo/Peacock
Kickoff Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
Group: Group D
An attack-minded United States team takes the pitch for the first of what they hope will be a long run in the 2026 World Cup. The US team has depth, athleticism, and talent that littered multiple Champions League rosters.
Christian Pulisic — who has 33 goals in 86 games for USMNT, Folarin Balogun, and Malik Tillman give the US squad multiple ways to attack on the front line.
The 27-year-old Pulisic, who became the youngest player to captain the team in 2018, scored a goal vs. Iran in the 2022 World Cup and ended a dry spell with a goal vs. Senegal last month in a tune-up.
The USMNT hasn’t played a match that matters in the standings since last July’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, but they did play 10 friendlies, going 5-4-1 with a combined 18-17 score.
They now face a Paraguay team that relies on defense and experience to make life difficult for any opponent. Qualifying out of South America, they beat reigning World Cup Champion Argentina, 2-1, in a qualifying match. Julian “La Joya” Enciso is a generational talent that will attempt to turn counterattacks through the USA defense.
The playing styles are complete opposites: the United States attack vs. Paraguay’s physical defense. The first goal could force the other side to shift tactics.
USA vs. Paraguay: Favorite to Win, Spread, Total Goals – Friday, June 12
The United States enters Friday’s game as home favorites, returning a 1.88x payout if they win outright, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
Meanwhile, Paraguay will look to emphasize defensive organization while creating opportunities through quick transitions.
Here are the full payouts for the United States vs. Paraguay match on PrizePicks.
- Winner Payout: USA – 1.88x | Tie – 3.12x | Paraguay – 3.84x
- Spread: United States - 1.5 (3.57x Payout)
- Total Goals: 2.5 (Over – 2.27x)
- Both Teams to Score: Yes 1.96x | No 1.78x
Payouts show potential returns on correct Team Picks predictions. A 2x payout returns $200 on a $100 entry. Lower multipliers reflect outcomes users are picking as more likely. Payouts are live as of writing and subject to change.
Make your United States vs. Paraguay prediction on spread or goals on PrizePicks Team Picks — available in 35 states!
United States vs. Paraguay Prediction on Total Goals for World Cup 2026
Here are the key stats and trends for the United States vs. Paraguay match before making your World Cup 2026 predictions on PrizePicks.
- This is the 10th all-time meeting between the two countries, with the United States winning 5, Paraguay winning 2, as well as 2 ties. USA has won the last three meetings.
- The United States has scored in 8 of 10 previous opening World Cup matches. They didn't score only in 1998 (lost 1-0 to Germany) and in 2006 (lost 3-0 to Czech Republic).
- The USMNT has conceded 2+ goals in four consecutive matches and hasn't kept a clean sheet since September of last year (8 straight matches allowing a goal).
- On the offensive side, USA has scored in eight of the last nine matches, netting 2+ goals in six of them.
- Paraguay scored 4 goals in the last friendly over Nicaragua on June 5. They've scored at least a goal in five straight and seven of the last eight.
Lock in your United States vs. Paraguay prediction for the 2026 World Cup now!
United States vs. Paraguay Lineups for World Cup 2026 – Friday, June 12
Here are the projected United States vs. Paraguay lineups for Friday’s World Cup group stage match. Lineups are not official and are based on historical data.
United States Lineup vs. Paraguay Today
Projected Formation: 5-3-2
- Goalkeeper: Matthew Freese
- Defense: Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, Chris Richards, Sergino Dest, Antonee Robinson
- Midfield: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman
- Forwards: Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic
Paraguay Lineup vs. United States Today
Projected Formation: 4-4-2
- Goalkeeper: Gatito Fernández
- Defense: Juan José Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, Omar Alderete, Junior Alonso
- Midfield: Mauricio, Diego Gómez, Kaku, Andrés Cubas
- Forwards: Miguel Almirón, Antonio Sanabria
USMNT vs. Paraguay Picks, Player Stats for World Cup 2026 Game
Here are the top United States vs. Paraguay player picks to target on PrizePicks on Friday, June 12. Today’s World Cup 2026 picks are headlined by Christian Pulisic and Matt Freese.
United States F Christian Pulisic vs. Paraguay
Christian Pulisic Projections via PrizePicks: 2.5 Shots, 30.5 Pass Attempts, 15.5 Fantasy Score
- In four World Cup warm-up matches this past year, Pulisic had 3 shots on goal three times and 2 shots in the other.
- The AC Milan forward had 3+ shots in five of the last 12 games of Italy’s Serie A season, including 5 shots vs. Lazio on March 15.
- According to Footy Stats, Pulisic averaged 3.01 shots taken per 90 minutes for AC Milan in 2025-26, which ranked in the 94th percentile.
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United States GK Matt Freese vs. Paraguay
Matt Freese Projections via PrizePicks: 2.5 Goalie Saves, 0.5 Goals Allowed (Goblin)
- USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese made 2 saves vs. Germany in the last warm-up and had 3 saves vs. Portugal back in March. He also allowed 2 goals in each of those games.
- Against Paraguay last November, the 27-year-old made 2 saves and allowed 1 goal in the USA’s 2-1 win.
- With New York City FC, Freese made 3+ saves in four of his last six and in eight of 15 games this season.
Combine United States + Matt Freese World Cup picks for bigger payouts on PrizePicks.
Make Your United States vs. Paraguay Prediction on PrizePicks
The United States and its attacking offense take on Paraguay and its gritty defense in the Group D World Cup opener for both teams. Will the USMNT start with a big win on its home turf, or will Paraguay play spoiler?
Don’t wait until lock. Make your United States vs. Paraguay picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right on every World Cup game.
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