Teams

USA Kicks Off 2026 World Cup Against Paraguay; Trump Attendance Unconfirmed

Published June 12, 2026

USA Kicks Off 2026 World Cup Against Paraguay; Trump Attendance Unconfirmed
Image via Al Jazeera

The United States men's national team is set to open its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on home soil against Paraguay, with questions surrounding the attendance of former President Donald Trump.

Published — local time around the world

🇺🇸 Los AngelesFri 02:39
🇺🇸 New YorkFri 05:39
🇲🇽 Mexico CityFri 03:39
🇨🇦 TorontoFri 05:39
🇬🇧 LondonFri 10:39
🇵🇹 LisbonFri 10:39
🇪🇸 MadridFri 11:39
🇦🇷 Buenos AiresFri 06:39

The United States is gearing up to host its first FIFA World Cup match in over three decades, with the national team facing Paraguay in their opening fixture of the 2026 tournament. The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California, marking a significant moment for the co-host nation as it begins its quest for glory in front of a home crowd.

As one of the three host nations, alongside Canada and Mexico, the pressure is immense for the USMNT to deliver a strong performance. This opening match against their South American rivals is seen as crucial for setting the tone for their campaign. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the team can secure a vital three points, especially with aspirations to surpass the Round of 16 finish achieved when the tournament was last held in the US in 1994.

VIP Spectator Speculation

Beyond the action on the pitch, there's considerable buzz regarding potential high-profile attendees. While Paraguay's President, Santiago Peña, has confirmed his travel plans to Los Angeles for the match, the presence of former US President Donald Trump remains unconfirmed. Reports indicate that his attendance is uncertain, adding an extra layer of intrigue to what is already a momentous occasion for American soccer.

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Sources

This is an original summary written for wc26today. Reporting detected from: