Preview: United States vs. Paraguay

NEW YORK (Interstat) — The United States men’s national team faces Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier Friday, June 12, at a venue to be determined. The match carries significant weight for both sides as they navigate the final stretch of qualifying.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-0 victory for Paraguay, a result that would bolster the visitors’ hopes of securing a direct berth to the 2026 tournament. Paraguay enters the contest in strong form, having won three of its past four qualifiers.

Paraguay’s most recent match, a 1-0 win at Peru on Sept. 9, 2025, was decided by a second-half goal from substitute Matías Galarza Fonda, who entered in the 46th minute and scored in the 44th minute of his shift. Defenders Gustavo Raúl Gómez Portillo and Omar Federico Alderete Fernández both played the full 90 minutes, anchoring a defense that has conceded just two goals in its last five qualifiers.

The visitors’ recent results include a 2-0 win at Uruguay on June 5, 2025, a 2-2 draw at Colombia on March 26, 2025, and a 1-0 home victory against Chile on March 20, 2025. Paraguay also earned draws at Ecuador (0-0 on Sept. 4, 2025, and Oct. 10, 2024) and a 2-2 draw at Bolivia on Nov. 19, 2024. Notable home wins include a 2-1 victory over Argentina on Nov. 14, 2024, and a 1-0 win against Brazil on Sept. 10, 2024. Paraguay’s only loss in that span was a 1-0 defeat at Brazil on June 10, 2025.

The United States’ most recent previous result was not provided. The team will look to build momentum ahead of its next two group-stage matches: Australia at home on Friday, June 19, and a trip to Turkiye on Thursday, June 25. Paraguay also faces Turkiye on the road on June 19 before hosting Australia on June 25.

Friday’s match is the first of three qualifiers for both teams in a critical window. A win for Paraguay would vault them nearer the top of the standings; a home victory for the United States would be vital for its own qualification hopes.

Kickoff is scheduled for a time to be announced.