The United States will finally get its own 2026 FIFA World Cup welcome party on Friday night, with SoFi Stadium hosting the country’s opening ceremony before USA vs Paraguay.
Mexico got things started in Mexico City, Canada’s moment came in Toronto, and now Los Angeles completes the three-host opening format.
For USMNT fans, this marks the start of the biggest home summer for soccer since 1994.
USA World Cup opening ceremony time and location
As reported by The Independent, the ceremony kicks off at 12:30 am BST on Saturday, June 13, which is 4:30 pm PT and 7:30 pm ET on Friday, June 12.
The show is being held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the newest venue in use this summer, ahead of the USA’s Group D opener against Paraguay.
Katy Perry headlines the event in her home state, joined by Future, Tyla, Lisa from Blackpink, Rema and Anitta. The ceremony will be broadcast by the BBC in the UK, while Fox and Telemundo will cover it in the US.
USA vs Paraguay brings early pressure
Kick-off is set for 6 pm PT and 9 pm ET. The USA is in Group D with Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey, and this opener already feels vital because Mauricio Pochettino’s side is expected to qualify.
The projected USA XI is Matt Freese; Alex Freeman, Miles Robinson, Tim Ream; Sergino Dest, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson; Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman; Folarin Balogun.
Paraguay will likely sit deep, rely on Gustavo Gomez and Omar Alderete defensively, and look to Miguel Almiron and Julio Enciso for counter-attacking threat.
USA World Cup odds show cautious optimism
Opta’s model gives the USMNT a 32.83 percent chance to win Group D and a 76.94 percent chance to reach the Round of 32.
The deeper numbers are less flattering: 42.9 percent to reach the last 16, 19.73 percent to reach the quarterfinals, 8.08 percent to make the semifinals, 3.26 percent to reach the final, and 1.33 percent to win it all.
Predictions lean towards a narrow home win, with 1-0 or 2-1 scorelines both popular picks.
Donald Trump will not attend, with Marco Rubio, Sean Duffy, and Markwayne Mullin expected to represent the administration. So the spotlight stays on the players, the stage, and the first real test of America’s World Cup dream.
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