Hosts the United States are set to begin their World Cup campaign at home. In a Group D match of the 2026 World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino’s side will face the South American team Paraguay in Los Angeles at 7 a.m. Bangladesh time on Saturday. It will be the two sides’ first meeting on the World Cup stage in 96 years. They last met at the inaugural World Cup in 1930, when the Americans won 3-0. The group also includes Australia and Turkey. With knockout-round qualification at stake, a positive start is highly important for both sides.
The United States, one of the three host nations, is dreaming of going far this time by making the most of home advantage. Having not had to play in qualifying, coach Mauricio Pochettino has had about two years to prepare for the World Cup. But the preparation time is over, and now every match is a test. Before the World Cup, the United States lost 2-1 to Germany in their final warm-up match, though they had sent a confident message before that by beating Senegal 3-2. Ranked 16th in the FIFA rankings, the side is playing in its 12th World Cup. Reaching the quarter-finals in 2002 is their best World Cup achievement, although they have qualified for the knockout round in each of the last three editions. Paraguay, meanwhile, have returned to the main stage of the World Cup after a long absence. They are playing in the World Cup for the first time since reaching the quarter-finals in 2010. Gustavo Alfaro’s side secured their ticket by finishing sixth in CONMEBOL qualifying. The South American team are in fine form ahead of the World Cup, winning three of their last four matches, including a big 4-0 win over Nicaragua. Beating Argentina 2-1 under Alfaro has also boosted their confidence. History, however, is not on Paraguay’s side. They have won only once in their first eight World Cup matches. They have also not won either of their previous two matches against a host nation.
In terms of squad strength, the United States rely on Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams. In the first match, coach Pochettino may take the field with a three-defender back line. Experienced captain Tim Ream will lead the defence. With Chris Richards, recently back in training after recovering from an ankle injury, his place is not yet certain. As a result, either Miles Robinson or Mark McKenzie could be in the starting eleven. In midfield, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman will carry a heavy responsibility. In attack, the team’s biggest star, Christian Pulisic, will support forward Folarin Balogun. Balogun scored 19 goals across all competitions for Monaco last season.
Paraguay, on the other hand, could find their main weapons in Miguel Almirón, Julio Enciso and Tony Sanabria. Sanabria in particular was the team’s top scorer in qualifying with four goals. They will take the field with a strong backline led by Sunderland centre-back Omar Alderete and captain Gustavo Gómez. Although the team’s best footballer, Julio Enciso, picked up a slight knock in the match against Nicaragua, he is likely to play in this match. Tony Sanabria will play as a lone striker alongside Miguel Almirón and Diego Gómez in attack. Known for a solid defence and set-piece-based football, Paraguay will look to surprise the hosts. The United States will want to make a winning start to their World Cup mission in front of their own supporters.
All in all, the match in Los Angeles is shaping up as a clash of two different schools of football, where all three points from the first match are equally important for both sides.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report