The United States men's national soccer team played Paraguay on Friday, June 12, 2026, in the opening Group D match of the FIFA World Cup [1].
This match represents a historic milestone for soccer in North America. It is the first time a World Cup match has been played on U.S. soil in 32 years, since the tournament final took place in Pasadena in 1994 [4].
The contest took place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California [2]. As the host nation, the U.S. entered the game as part of its first campaign match of the 2026 tournament [1].
Scheduling reports for the kickoff time varied between sources. CNET said the match was set for 6 p.m. PT [2], while Yahoo Sports said the kickoff was at 3 p.m. PST [3].
The 2026 tournament is a joint effort between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The Group D clash against Paraguay serves as the critical starting point for the U.S. squad as they attempt to advance past the group stage in front of a home crowd [1].
SoFi Stadium, located in the Los Angeles area, was selected to host this high-profile encounter [2]. The atmosphere in Inglewood reflected the anticipation of a domestic audience that has waited more than three decades to witness the world's premier soccer competition on home turf [4].
“The first World Cup match on U.S. soil in 32 years”
The return of the FIFA World Cup to the United States after 32 years signifies a massive commercial and cultural shift for the sport in the region. By hosting the opening matches in major hubs like Los Angeles, the tournament aims to capitalize on the growth of soccer's popularity in the U.S. and leverage modern infrastructure like SoFi Stadium to set a new standard for tournament hosting.
