INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA June 12, 2026 — FIFA has officially revealed the blockbuster opening match for the United States-hosted portion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup: the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) will take on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium (also referred to as Los Angeles Stadium) on Friday, June 12, 2026.
The announcement, shared via FIFA’s official channels with the cinematic tagline “Lights. Camera. Action,” features imagery of the iconic Hollywood sign alongside the World Cup trophy, underscoring the glamour of bringing the tournament back to American soil for the first time since 1994.
Match Details
- Date: Friday, June 12, 2026
- Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. PDT (9:00 p.m. EDT / 1:00 a.m. BST)
- Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
- Group: D (USMNT, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye)
- Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
This marks the USMNT’s first World Cup match on home soil in 32 years. Paraguay returns to the tournament for the first time since 2010, having secured qualification through impressive performances against top South American sides.
An opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. local time, with doors opening earlier in the afternoon for what is expected to be a sold-out, high-energy crowd.
The 2026 tournament is the first 48-team edition, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While Mexico opened the competition on June 11 against South Africa in Mexico City, the U.S. match in Los Angeles serves as the marquee North American kickoff for many fans. SoFi Stadium, known for its cutting-edge design and Super Bowl hosting pedigree, is poised to deliver a spectacular atmosphere.
US Soccer and FIFA have emphasized the significance of starting on home turf, with the USMNT entering as slight favorites in their Group D opener. The Americans will then face Australia and Türkiye in the group stage.
Early reactions on social media have been electric, with fans expressing excitement about the Hollywood backdrop, predicting a strong U.S. start, and celebrating the return of the world’s biggest sporting event to the U.S. Tickets remain in high demand, and broadcasters are preparing extensive coverage across FOX, Telemundo, and streaming platforms.
Stay tuned for live updates, team lineups, and match analysis as the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially ignites in Los Angeles. The road to the final in New York/New Jersey on July 19 begins here.
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