UNITED STATES BEGIN WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN AGAINST PARAGUAY IN LOS ANGELES OPENER
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Agency Report
The United States will begin their World Cup campaign on Friday with a high-stakes opening match against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, as the co-hosts aim to make a strong start on home soil.
The encounter marks the first World Cup finals match played in the United States in 32 years, placing additional pressure on the American squad to deliver in front of a home crowd.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino said success at the tournament would be defined by winning, not merely progressing from the group stage, insisting that expectations must remain at the highest level.
“For me, successful is to win. Is to win tomorrow. And win after,” the former Tottenham manager said. “If we don’t arrive at the final and we don’t win the World Cup, to talk about ‘successful’? I don’t know.”
Captain Christian Pulisic, who leads a talented new generation of US players, said the squad believes it can compete with any team in the world and is eager to prove its credentials.
“We want to be a real force in this tournament,” he told AFP. “We’ve got three really good games to show everyone what we’re all about.”
Pulisic acknowledged the challenge of performing under pressure in front of home supporters, while emphasising the squad’s confidence and ambition.
Pochettino has also stressed the importance of physical and tactical readiness against South American opposition, describing Paraguay as a “streetwise” and disciplined side that will test the United States in every department.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend the opening match, while President Donald Trump has indicated he will appear at selected fixtures during the tournament.
The game will be preceded by a major opening ceremony featuring international music stars, including Katy Perry, as organisers stage a Hollywood-style spectacle to mark the tournament’s opening in the United States.
In other Group D action, co-hosts Canada will begin their campaign against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto, seeking their first-ever World Cup win. Canada will be without star defender Alphonso Davies, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The tournament officially kicked off on Thursday in Mexico City, where Mexico defeated South Africa 2–0 at the historic Estadio Azteca, in a match marked by early goals, three red cards, and a vibrant but tense atmosphere both inside and outside the stadium.
Elsewhere, South Korea opened their campaign with a 2–1 win over the Czech Republic, sealing victory through a late strike from substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu.
Despite early controversies surrounding ticket prices, security concerns, and entry restrictions affecting some officials and fans, organisers at FIFA have described the tournament’s opening phase as a major logistical success.
The World Cup, featuring 48 teams for the first time, will culminate in the final scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey, as the global football spectacle begins its month-long journey across North America.
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