USA vs Paraguay World Cup 2026 lineup, kickoff time and how to watch free on Tubi. Christian Pulisic leads the USMNT at SoFi Stadium Los Angeles. Full team news, preview and prediction for Group D on June 12.
Published: June 12, 2026 | Author: Hemim SK
The biggest match of Day 2 — and one of the most anticipated matches of the entire opening week — kicks off tonight at 9pm ET at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The United States open their home World Cup campaign against Paraguay in front of 70,000 fans in a sold-out stadium that will be one of the loudest sporting atmospheres in America this year.
And the best news for American fans — this match streams completely FREE on Tubi. No subscription. No credit card. Just download the app and watch.
Here is everything you need before the 9pm ET kickoff — lineups, how to watch free on every platform, full match preview and prediction.
USA vs Paraguay — Match Facts
Date: Friday June 12, 2026
Kickoff: 9pm ET / 6pm PT / 2am BST (June 13) / 10pm ET local
Venue: Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium), Inglewood, California
Group: D
TV USA: Fox (English) / Telemundo (Spanish) / FREE on Tubi
TV UK: BBC One / BBC iPlayer — free
TV Australia: SBS On Demand — free
Attendance: 70,000 — SOLD OUT
How to Watch USA vs Paraguay FREE — Every Option
FREE in the USA:
Tubi — the biggest free option. USA vs Paraguay streams completely FREE on Tubi. No subscription needed, no credit card required. Available at tubi.tv and on the Tubi app for iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV and all major platforms. This is the easiest way for any American to watch the game for free tonight.
Fox — free with cable subscription or over-the-air HD antenna. Fox is available free on antenna in most US cities. Search “Fox channel [your city]” to find the local antenna channel.
Telemundo — Spanish language coverage, free with cable or antenna.
FREE in the UK:
BBC One — free to air television at 2am BST on June 13. No subscription required.
BBC iPlayer — free streaming of the BBC broadcast online and via the iPlayer app.
FREE in Australia:
SBS On Demand — free streaming of all World Cup matches. Available at sbs.com.au/ondemand and on the SBS app.
FREE in India:
Zee— free streaming of all World Cup matches via Zee Subscription .
Paid streaming options:
Fubo (USA) — all 104 World Cup matches
DirecTV Stream (USA) — includes Fox and FS1
YouTube TV (USA) — includes Fox
Hulu with Live TV (USA) — includes Fox
Expected Lineups
USA Expected Starting XI
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: Matt Turner
Defence:
Sergiño Dest (right back)
Chris Richards (centre back)
Tim Ream (centre back)
Antonee Robinson (left back)
Midfield:
Weston McKennie
Tyler Adams
Yunus Musah
Attack:
Christian Pulisic (right wing / number 10)
Folarin Balogun (striker)
Timothy Weah (left wing)
Key note: Christian Pulisic starts as the USA’s captain and most important creative player — operating from the right side but with the freedom to drift centrally and link with Balogun. Folarin Balogun — born in the USA, raised in England, developed at Arsenal and AS Monaco — leads the attack with the pace, movement and finishing quality that makes him one of the most dangerous strikers in the tournament. Tyler Adams is the defensive midfielder who makes the entire system work.
Paraguay Expected Starting XI
Formation: 4-4-2 / 4-5-1
Goalkeeper: Anthony Silva
Defence:
Santiago Arzamendia (left back)
Junior Alonso (centre back)
Omar Alderete (centre back)
Robert Rojas (right back)
Midfield (four):
Miguel Almiron (right / attacking)
Andres Cubas (central)
Mathias Villasanti (central)
Julio Enciso (left / attacking)
Striker:
Antonio Sanabria
Key note: Miguel Almiron is Paraguay’s most important player and the one American fans know best from his time at Newcastle United and his current MLS career. His energy, pressing and direct running make him Paraguay’s best attacking weapon. Junior Alonso — a physical, dominant centre-back — anchors the Paraguay defence and will make life difficult for Balogun through the air. Antonio Sanabria leads the attack and will press the USA’s centre-backs throughout.
Why This Match Is Different From What The Rankings Say
The FIFA ranking gap between the USA (16th) and Paraguay (40th) suggests a comfortable American win. The reality is more nuanced and more interesting than that.
Paraguay eliminated the United States from Copa America 2011 on penalties. In 2022 World Cup qualifying their 0-0 draw in New Jersey showed Paraguay’s ability to completely neutralise American attacking quality through disciplined defensive organisation. They are a team that knows exactly how to make the USA uncomfortable.
Mauricio Pochettino’s American side — playing at home with their most talented squad in history — are clear favourites. But the World Cup has a long history of results that defy rankings. Mexico vs South Africa showed that. South Korea coming from behind to beat Czechia showed that. Paraguay arrive at SoFi Stadium not to be comfortable opponents. They arrive to compete.
The Christian Pulisic Factor
Christian Pulisic is the player every American football fan has been waiting to see deliver at a home World Cup. His AC Milan performances over the last two seasons — goals, assists, game-changing moments — prove he has the quality. His pre-tournament form against Senegal was outstanding. SoFi Stadium at 9pm ET on June 12 — 70,000 home fans roaring him on — is the stage he was built for.
If Pulisic is at his best, the USA win comfortably. His ability to beat defenders one vs one on the right side, cut inside onto his stronger left foot and deliver goals and assists from open play is the difference-maker in this match.
Paraguay’s right side — Rojas — will have the most difficult defensive assignment of any player in the Group D opener.
The Atmosphere Factor
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is one of the most modern sports venues in the world and tonight at 9pm ET it will be completely sold out with 70,000 fans. The LA football crowd is unlike any other in America — the Mexican-American, Central American and South American communities of Los Angeles create a genuine football atmosphere that rivals European stadium noise.
For Paraguay’s players, arriving in Los Angeles for their first World Cup match in 12 years, the atmosphere will be extraordinary. But the pressure is entirely on the USA. Home crowd. Home tournament. Highest-ever ranking. Their most talented squad in history.
Pochettino’s message will be simple: perform, win, send a message.
Prediction
USA to win. Pulisic to score or assist. Balogun to be dangerous throughout. Paraguay’s defensive discipline will make the first 30 minutes tight but the USA’s quality should tell in the second half.
Prediction: USA 2-0 Paraguay
Pulisic to score the opening goal. Balogun to add the second. Tyler Adams to be the unsung hero who makes the entire system function. SoFi Stadium to produce one of the greatest sporting atmospheres in Los Angeles this decade.
Group D Standings Before This Match
All teams yet to play in Group D.
After USA vs Paraguay tonight:
Expected: USA 3 pts, Australia 1 pt (drew vs Turkiye from Day 3), Turkiye 1 pt, Paraguay 0 pts
What Happens Next
USA: Face Australia on June 19 at Lumen Field in Seattle. A win secures qualification to the Round of 32 with a game to spare.
Paraguay: Face Turkiye on June 19. A must-not-lose fixture for Almiron and his teammates after tonight.
As covered in our USA World Cup 2026 Schedule, a win tonight and a win against Australia on June 19 would see the USMNT through to the knockout rounds and give Pochettino the platform to rotate his squad for the Turkiye match.
Need To Know
What time is USA vs Paraguay at World Cup 2026?
USA vs Paraguay kicks off at 9pm Eastern Time on Friday June 12. That is 6pm Pacific Time, 2am British Summer Time on June 13 and 10pm Eastern time local. At SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles.
How can I watch USA vs Paraguay for free?
USA vs Paraguay streams completely FREE on Tubi in the United States — no subscription or credit card required. It also airs free on Fox in English and Telemundo in Spanish with a cable subscription or HD antenna. In the UK it is free on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Is USA vs Paraguay on Tubi?
Yes — USA vs Paraguay is available to stream for free on Tubi tonight. Go to tubi.tv or download the Tubi app on any device. No account required to watch.
What channel is USA vs Paraguay on?
In the USA: Fox (English, free with cable/antenna), Telemundo (Spanish, free with cable/antenna), Tubi (completely free streaming). In the UK: BBC One and BBC iPlayer (free). In Australia: SBS On Demand (free). In India: JioCinema (free).
Who is the USA captain vs Paraguay?
Christian Pulisic is the United States captain for their World Cup 2026 opener against Paraguay. The AC Milan attacker is the USMNT’s most important player and will wear the armband at SoFi Stadium tonight.
What is the USA’s World Cup 2026 starting lineup vs Paraguay?
USA expected lineup: Matt Turner (GK); Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson (defence); Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah (midfield); Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Timothy Weah (attack).
Has the USA beaten Paraguay before?
The USA and Paraguay have met 13 times historically. The USA lead the overall record but Paraguay eliminated them from Copa America 2011 on penalties. Their most recent competitive meeting in 2022 World Cup qualifying ended 0-0. The USA are favourites tonight but Paraguay know exactly how to make them uncomfortable.
Conclusion
USA vs Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. 70,000 fans. 9pm ET. Free on Tubi. Christian Pulisic. Folarin Balogun. The home World Cup opener the American football nation has been waiting for.
After South Korea’s comeback against Czechia and Mexico’s dramatic three-red-card opening win at the Azteca — Day 2 of the World Cup 2026 has already delivered. Tonight at 9pm ET it delivers again.
Tubi. Fox. Free. 9pm ET. Do not miss it.
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Will Pulisic finally deliver at a home World Cup — and can the USA beat Paraguay to start their tournament with three points? Tell us in the comments below