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The U.S. men's national soccer team won their first World Cup match against Paraguay in convincing 4-1 fashion Friday night.
After a Round of 16 exit in 2022, the team is hoping to advance further this year -- and on home turf -- with the United States co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico. To succeed, the U.S. squad will have to best the other Group D members -- Paraguay, Australia and Turkey -- before taking on more formidable foes in the knockout stage.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: USA's Folarin Balogun celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D football match against Paraguay in Los Angeles, June 12, 2026.
Lionel Messi and Argentina will look to repeat their hard-won victory from 2022. Spain, Portugal, France and England are also expected to make strong showings this year.
The U.S. team is currently No. 17 in the FIFA men's world rankings.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images - PHOTO: Christian Pulisic of the USA runs with the ball while under pressure from Juan Jose Caceres of Paraguay during their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match, June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
Here's what to know about the USMNT as the World Cup continues.
The U.S.-Paraguay match was played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images - PHOTO: The United States Men's National Team poses for a team photo ahead of their international friendly match against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 6, 2026.
The USMNT will then play Australia on Friday, June 19, in Seattle, before facing Turkey on Thursday, June 25, in Inglewood.
The full World Cup schedule can be seen here. A tournament bracket for the knockout stages can be found here.
All eyes are on superstar forward Christian Pulisic as he marks his second World Cup appearance with the U.S. squad. Pulisic, who plays professionally for Italian club AC Milan, has scored 33 total goals for the U.S. over the course of his career, the fifth most of any American male player.
Omar Vega/USSF via Getty Images, FILE - PHOTO: Christian Pulisic of United States celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the international friendly match between United States and Senegal at Bank of America Stadium, on May 31, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Forward Tim Weah, midfielder Gio Reyna, defender Tim Ream, goalkeeper Matt Turner and midfielder Cristian Roldan are among the players also returning from the 2022 squad.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino will make his first World Cup appearance with the U.S. team this year after he took the helm of the squad in 2024.
Former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter recently told ABC News that he's proud of how the members of the U.S. squad have grown "personally and professionally" and has high hopes for their success in the tournament.
"We're American, we want to see winners," Berhalter said. "Why not go all the way?"
Dirk Waem/Belga Mag via AFP via Getty Images, FILE - PHOTO: US's Max Arfsten and Belgium's Nathan De Cat fight for the ball during a friendly soccer game between the United States national team and Belgian national soccer team Red Devils in Atlanta, on March 28, 2026, in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
Former USMNT player Landon Donovan believes Pulisic, in particular, has a defining opportunity at the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
"It's almost everything," Donovan told SportsBoom when asked about Pulisic's legacy being on the line.
-ABC News' Kelly McCarthy contributed to this report.
Continue reading...
After a Round of 16 exit in 2022, the team is hoping to advance further this year -- and on home turf -- with the United States co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico. To succeed, the U.S. squad will have to best the other Group D members -- Paraguay, Australia and Turkey -- before taking on more formidable foes in the knockout stage.
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Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: USA's Folarin Balogun celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D football match against Paraguay in Los Angeles, June 12, 2026.
Lionel Messi and Argentina will look to repeat their hard-won victory from 2022. Spain, Portugal, France and England are also expected to make strong showings this year.
The U.S. team is currently No. 17 in the FIFA men's world rankings.
You must be registered for see images attach
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images - PHOTO: Christian Pulisic of the USA runs with the ball while under pressure from Juan Jose Caceres of Paraguay during their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match, June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
Here's what to know about the USMNT as the World Cup continues.
Who does US play next?
The U.S.-Paraguay match was played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
You must be registered for see images attach
Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images - PHOTO: The United States Men's National Team poses for a team photo ahead of their international friendly match against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago on June 6, 2026.
The USMNT will then play Australia on Friday, June 19, in Seattle, before facing Turkey on Thursday, June 25, in Inglewood.
The full World Cup schedule can be seen here. A tournament bracket for the knockout stages can be found here.
Who is on the team?
All eyes are on superstar forward Christian Pulisic as he marks his second World Cup appearance with the U.S. squad. Pulisic, who plays professionally for Italian club AC Milan, has scored 33 total goals for the U.S. over the course of his career, the fifth most of any American male player.
You must be registered for see images attach
Omar Vega/USSF via Getty Images, FILE - PHOTO: Christian Pulisic of United States celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the international friendly match between United States and Senegal at Bank of America Stadium, on May 31, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Forward Tim Weah, midfielder Gio Reyna, defender Tim Ream, goalkeeper Matt Turner and midfielder Cristian Roldan are among the players also returning from the 2022 squad.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino will make his first World Cup appearance with the U.S. team this year after he took the helm of the squad in 2024.
What should fans expect?
Former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter recently told ABC News that he's proud of how the members of the U.S. squad have grown "personally and professionally" and has high hopes for their success in the tournament.
"We're American, we want to see winners," Berhalter said. "Why not go all the way?"
You must be registered for see images attach
Dirk Waem/Belga Mag via AFP via Getty Images, FILE - PHOTO: US's Max Arfsten and Belgium's Nathan De Cat fight for the ball during a friendly soccer game between the United States national team and Belgian national soccer team Red Devils in Atlanta, on March 28, 2026, in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
Former USMNT player Landon Donovan believes Pulisic, in particular, has a defining opportunity at the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
"It's almost everything," Donovan told SportsBoom when asked about Pulisic's legacy being on the line.
-ABC News' Kelly McCarthy contributed to this report.
Continue reading...
