World Cup 2026 Kicks Off: USA vs Paraguay Preview and Opening Day Recap

World Cup 2026 Kicks Off: USA vs Paraguay Preview and Opening Day Recap The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway across North America, and the opening day delivered plenty of drama. Now, all eyes turn to the USMNT as they prepare to open their campaign tonight against Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium. Opening Day Drama: Mexico and South Korea Win The tournament kicked off at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where co-hosts Mexico secured a 2-0 victory over South Africa behind goals from Julian Quinones (9') and Raul Jimenez (67'). The match was fiery — three red cards were shown, and South Africa finished with just nine men on the pitch. In Group A's nightcap, South Korea pulled off a thrilling 2-1 comeback win against Czechia in Zapopan, Mexico. After falling behind to a set-piece goal from captain Ladislav Krejci, South Korea rallied with second-half strikes from In-Beom Hwang (67') and Hyun-Gyu Oh (78'). The comeback was sparked by brilliant play from PSG's Lee Kang-In and Feyenoord's Hwang. USMNT vs Paraguay: Tonight's Betting Breakdown Tonight at 9 PM ET on FOX, the United States takes the field against Paraguay in their World Cup opener at Los Angeles Stadium. The USMNT enters under head coach Mauricio Pochettino, looking to bounce back from a shaky pre-tournament run. Current Betting Odds: - USA Moneyline: -105 - Paraguay Moneyline: +320 - Draw: +240 - Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over +125 / Under -160 - USA -0.5 Spread: -115 The U.S. is the clear favorite, and with Paraguay missing star player Julio Enciso due to injury, Pochettino's squad has a prime opportunity to start strong in Group D. Player Props Worth Watching If you're looking for anytime goalscorer value: - Folarin Balogun: +215 - Christian Pulisic: +225 - Ricardo Pepi: +225 - Haji Wright: +250 - Giovanni Reyna: +330 The USMNT needs three points here. With Turkey in solid form behind Real Madrid's Arda Guler also in Group D, the Americans can't afford to drop points early. Paraguay's defense-first approach could make this a tighter match than the odds suggest, but the home crowd at SoFi Stadium should provide a massive boost. --- Related reading: - Sorsby Ruling Puts College Betting Integrity on the Board - MLB Parity Makes June Prices Tricky - Omaha Field Turns Into A Betting Volatility Test