Team USA takes centre stage on Friday evening as the 2026 World Cup’s third opening ceremony unfolds at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, featuring pop star Katy Perry. The USMNT faces Paraguay in their tournament opener, a moment of reckoning for American soccer on home soil amid visa concerns, soaring ticket prices, and competing sports dominating the conversation. Follow our blog to learn more.
Official lineups for USA-Paraguay:
United States: Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun
Paraguay: Orlando Gill, Omar Alderete, Juan Jose Caceres, Junior Alonso, Gustavo Gomez, Diego Gomez, Miguel Almiron, Andres Cubas, Damian Bobadilla, Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso
It’s time for an hydration break
Another chance for USA
Juan Caceres is penalised for holding. Danny Makkelie awards a free kick to the hosts in a decent position, but nothing comes of it.
Team USA suffocating Paraguay
USA have been relentless since their opening goal. Paraguay are pinned back, struggling to breathe.
Yellow for Caceres
The Paraguayan defender is cautioned for a late tackle on Christian Pulisic.
USA assert early dominance
The hosts waste no time stamping their authority. McKennie finds Balogun in the box with a well-placed header, and the American striker takes a touch before firing but his effort is too soft to trouble Paraguay’s goalkeeper.
Goooooooooall for team USA!
Damian Bobadilla deflects the ball past his own goalkeeper. USA 1, Paraguay 0.
Let’s go!
Referee Danny Makkelie blows the whistle and the match is underway.
The anthems ring out
Paraguay’s national anthem fills SoFi Stadium, followed by the “Star-Spangled Banner” as the crowd joins in unison. Thousands of voices echo through the arena!
Katy Perry takes the stage
@Gary Vasquez, Reuters
About 10 minutes to kick off!
Flag-bearers from all countries process across the SoFi stadium.
@Daniel Cole, Reuters
“La Albirroja” during warm up
@Matthew Childs, Reuters
Official lineups
Paraguay: Orlando Gill, Omar Alderete, Juan Jose Caceres, Junior Alonso, Gustavo Gomez, Diego Gomez, Miguel Almiron, Andres Cubas, Damian Bobadilla, Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso
United States: Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun
Anitta adds Brazilian fire
Brazilian sensation Anitta brings the energy and rhythm of Latin America to the stage, a fitting tribute to the tournament’s North American hosts.
Lisa brings K-pop royalty to SoFi
BLACKPINK’s Lisa is a global phenomenon. The Thai-born superstar has transcended music to appear in HBO’s hit series White Lotus. Her presence signals the World Cup’s embrace of global pop culture.
@Lisi Niesner, Reuters
A galaxy of global stars takes the stage
Future and Tyla kick things off with high energy.
@Lisi Niesner, Reuters
Paraguay’s starting XI
Team USA starting XI
Trump called US World Cup team before first match
President Donald Trump called the US World Cup squad ahead of their debut match against Paraguay, the team said Friday.
In a video shared on social media, the US Soccer Men’s National Team said the 79-year-old leader called Thursday night with a message of support.
Andrew Giuliani, the head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, can be seen speaking with Trump on speakerphone, telling the president: “I’m standing in front of 26 champions and a great coach,” before handing the phone to US head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
“I just called to say you’re a fantastic guy, a fantastic coach, and you’re all about your record and your success, and I know how great the players are. I think you’ve got a really good chance of going all the way,” Trump said.
“I just want to wish you a lot of luck,” he added.
“Thank you so much for your support, Mr. President,” responded Pochettino.
For the first time since 1994, the United States hosts the World Cup. On Friday at 9:30pm ET, Team USA takes on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for their Group D opener.
The USMNT and Paraguay have faced each other three times in competitive matches, with the US holding a 2-1 record. Their most recent encounter came during World Cup qualifying in 2021, when the Americans won 3-0 in Columbus. Paraguay, ranked 69th in the world, will be looking to pull off an upset on American soil.
The US enters the tournament with growing momentum, having won their last four friendlies and boasting a squad that blends experienced European-based talent with emerging MLS stars. Coach Gregg Berhalter has overseen a team seeking to prove that American soccer belongs on the world stage. Over 70,000 supporters are expected to fill SoFi Stadium for what promises to be a charged atmosphere – a test of whether US.soccer can capture the nation’s imagination.
The match will be preceded by a 15-minute opening ceremony featuring American pop icon Katy Perry and performances celebrating the host nation’s diversity and soccer culture.
