United States vs Paraguay Picks and Prediction for Friday, June 12, 2026
Use Code SSWC The United States and Paraguay meet at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Friday at 9:00 PM ET in a Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The United States enters the tournament as a co-host nation and has won three of its last five matches under Mauricio Pochettino. Paraguay arrives after a strong qualification campaign and has become one of the more difficult teams to break down in South America under Gustavo Alfaro. With Uruguay and Ghana also competing in Group D, both teams understand the importance of securing points in the opening match. Look here today's free World Cup picks.
United States Preview
The United States enters the World Cup facing significant expectations while still searching for consistency under Pochettino. Results have been mixed during the past year, but the squad remains one of the most talented groups the country has produced. The manager has experimented with several formations, including both a back three and a 4-2-3-1 system, as he continues looking for the best combination ahead of the tournament.
Christian Pulisic remains the centerpiece of the attack and one of the most dangerous players in Concacaf. The AC Milan forward can create chances on his own and remains difficult to defend in open space. Folarin Balogun provides a proven scoring threat up front after another productive season in Europe, while Tyler Adams continues to anchor the midfield when healthy. The United States prefers to build through the middle of the field and create attacking opportunities through passing combinations rather than relying solely on direct play.
Defensively, Chris Richards has emerged as one of the most important players in the squad. The Crystal Palace defender provides stability along the back line and is expected to play a major role throughout the tournament. The United States has enough talent to advance from Group D, but a strong result in the opener would immediately reduce pressure heading into the remaining group matches.
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Injuries: No major injuries reported.
Paraguay
Paraguay returns to the World Cup after one of the most impressive turnarounds in South American qualifying. Since Alfaro took charge in 2024, the team has embraced a style built around defensive discipline, physical play, and quick transitions. Paraguay lost only once away from home during qualification under Alfaro and secured notable results against several strong opponents.
The attack is led by Julio Enciso, one of the most talented players Paraguay has produced in recent years. Enciso brings pace, creativity, and the ability to change a match with a single play. Midfielder Damián Bobadilla has developed into an important two-way player, while veteran leaders continue providing experience throughout the squad. Paraguay may not dominate possession, but it consistently creates problems for opponents through pressure and intensity.
The foundation of the team remains its defense. Andrés Cubas plays a critical role in midfield, breaking up attacks and helping launch counterattacks after winning possession. Paraguay enters the tournament with confidence after qualification victories over several quality teams and has the type of physical style that can frustrate more talented opponents. A positive result against the United States would significantly improve the country's chances of reaching the knockout stage.
Injuries: No major injuries reported.
United States vs Paraguay Pick
- Paraguay +0.5
Paraguay has developed into one of the most difficult teams in South America to play against and offers value getting a half-goal in this matchup. Alfaro has built a squad that defends well, competes physically, and rarely gives opponents easy scoring opportunities. Paraguay also enters the tournament with a clear identity, while the United States is still searching for its most effective tactical setup.
The United States possesses more individual talent, but Paraguay's defensive approach and ability to stay compact should keep this match close throughout. Enciso provides enough attacking quality to create chances on the counterattack, and Paraguay has consistently performed well against stronger opponents during the past two years. Taking Paraguay +0.5 provides protection against a draw while backing one of the tournament's more disciplined teams.
United States vs Paraguay Over/Under
- Pick Under 2.5
This match will cash under 2.5 goals. Paraguay's success under Alfaro has been built around defensive discipline, compact defending, and limiting quality chances. The United States also enters the tournament knowing the importance of avoiding an opening-match defeat in front of a home crowd. Group-stage openers often begin cautiously, especially when both teams believe they have realistic opportunities to advance. With Paraguay likely focused on staying organized defensively and the United States expected to control possession rather than play at a frantic pace, goals may be difficult to find.
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