Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) reacts during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Last year’s Vikings season went up in smoke primarily due to the subpar quarterback play the trio of passers provided throughout the year. Unsurprisingly, the most important task this offseason was to add some oomph to the quarterback room. Kyler Murray arrived in March to shake up the depth chart and either replace or push young signal-caller J.J. McCarthy.
Just two years after his draft day and just one year after his rise to the QB1 spot, McCarthy is caught in a battle for his place in the starting lineup, and perhaps even for a future within the organization.
While most expected the more experienced Murray to come out victorious and lead the squad onto the field in Week 1, McCarthy might be looking for an exit. A report from NFL insider Jason LaCanfora, as well as comments from Mike Florio, have raised some eyebrows.
Advertisement
LaCanfora chatted with an unspecified GM, who remarked, “I think he wants out of there. I think he’s wanted out of there since they signed Murray. Those personalities are not going to be a good fit.”
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and head coach Kevin O’Connell hug before the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
The reason for those speculations is McCarthy’s awkward comments at OTAs, where he compared his situation with Murray to that of two students in the classroom.
McCarthy said last week, “It’s just like two guys in a classroom. He sits on one side, I sit on the other side, and it’s the coach’s responsibility to teach us and coach us. Awkwardness? It’s just like the same feeling when you’re in high school, and there’s another person on the other side of the room. That’s just kind of how it is. I wouldn’t say there’s any awkwardness. It’s a true competition.”
The tenth overall draft choice from 2024 missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury and took over from Sam Darnold in 2025. His first campaign on the field didn’t go according to plan, as his play was overshadowed by injuries and inconsistency.
Advertisement
Of course, it’s too early to write a 23-year-old off after just ten games, but the Vikings had to bolster the quarterback room this offseason to avoid another lost season because of a struggling aerial attack.
McCarthy, however, might not be a big fan of Murray’s arrival.
Mike Florio said on his podcast, Pro Football Talk, “There’s a question of whether and to what extent McCarthy will be able to handle being the backup. Will he be resentful? Will he cause division within the locker room? Will he be quick to point out any mistake Kyler Murray makes? He has to fully embrace his status on the depth chart. That may be impossible for him to do.”
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) practices before the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
There’s a reason why backup quarterbacks like ex-Viking Nick Mullens have long careers in the NFL. They know their place as the backup that’s only playing in case of injury to the starter. A younger player with a first-round draft pedigree like McCarthy wants to be the guy under center rather than a supporting act.
Florio thinks a reunion with an old friend could help McCarthy.
Advertisement
“Trade him to the Chargers. I know they’ve got Trey Lance back to be an understudy to Justin Herbert. But Jim Harbaugh is the one who went on and on about J.J. McCarthy.”
His former college coach, Harbaugh, acted like a cheerleader when McCarthy entered the draft, but he couldn’t keep his passer after taking over the Chargers with Justin Herbert.
Florio added, “I think back to March of 2025. Nobody knew who was in charge. Those were all things I was hearing from reliable sources … no one knew who was calling the shots. No one knew what they were going to do at quarterback. But I did pick up the idea that, if they brought back Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones last year, they were going to have a major problem with JJ McCarthy. I think that may be one of the reasons why they decided, ‘You know what, fine, fine. You’re the guy, go be the guy.’”
At the end of the day, the Vikings need McCarthy to work on his craft, whether he’s the starter or not. He might still end up being the franchise quarterback down the road. Murray’s injury history isn’t the shortest either and McCarthy might be asked to step in sooner rather than later, even if he’s the QB2 to start the season.
Advertisement
The Vikings don’t have much to lose at this point. They could trade McCarthy for pennies on the dollar, or they could keep him around to see if he can live up to the draft capital they invested in him.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote last month, “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to trade him. The Vikings have already paid 70% of McCarthy’s rookie contract. There’s no way they could get anything in return that remotely approaches what they spent in terms of draft capital to acquire him in the first place. They’re less than a year removed from believing he could be their starter, not just now but for years to come. And it’s not like Murray is some automatic fix, either. He has had one fully healthy season in the past five, and the Cardinals are paying him almost $36 million this year to play for another team.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy addresses reporters following OTA practice, May 27, 2026, at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota. McCarthy discussed the depth of Minnesota’s quarterback room, offseason training work, and building chemistry with veteran quarterback Kyler Murray as the Vikings continued organized team activities during the spring program. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
The reality is that the Vikings don’t need to make a decision on McCarthy anytime soon. They can let the quarterback competition play out, keep developing the former first-round pick, and see where things stand after the season.
If McCarthy truly views Murray’s arrival as a threat, the best response isn’t frustration but improvement. At 23 years old, he still has plenty of time to prove he can be Minnesota’s long-term answer. For now, the Vikings would be wise to ignore the trade speculation and focus on getting the most out of both quarterbacks. After all, having two viable options under center is a far better problem than the one they faced a year ago.
More than a decorated shooter and coach, Jaspal Rana’s enduring legacy lay in his generosity and unwavering commitment to nurturing Indian shooting. (Photo/Agency)
NEW DELHI: Have you ever visited the Instagram profile of late shooting legend Jaspal Rana? If you do, the first thing that catches the eye is the line in his bio. Written in Devanagari, it reads: “Jab mrityu nishchit ho, swayam ko acche kaaran ke liye samarpit karna sarvottam hai.“
Translated into English, it reveals his core philosophy. “When death is inevitable, dedicating oneself to a good cause is the highest course of action.”In the early hours of Friday, Rana, the winner of multiple gold medals across the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Championships, breathed his last just a fortnight before his 50th birthday, leaving behind a world with one less person who truly lived by that creed.Becoming an Arjuna Awardee at 18, Rana would soon transition into a coach and hone world-beaters like Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary, and Anish Bhanwala, among others. For his deeds, he was honoured with the Dronacharya Award in 2020, well before one of his proteges, in Bhaker, went on to make history by winning two medals in a single edition of the Olympics.Last year, he took charge as the Indian shooting team’s high-performance coach. And owing to that, he flew to Munich for the ISSF World Cup earlier this summer.Among the women’s 10m air pistol squad was 22-year-old Muskan from Bhiwani, Haryana. Surrounded by established names such as Manu Bhaker, Suruchi Singh, and Esha Singh, a rising shooter could easily have felt overwhelmed. But under Jaspal Rana’s watch, that was never the case.“Just recently, when our kids went to Germany, my daughter Muskan had gone, and Suruchi had gone too,” Suresh Singh, who runs the Guru Dronacharya Shooting Academy in Haryana and serves as Suruchi’s personal coach, told TimesofIndia. com. “So my daughter casually mentioned that, ‘Sir, I don’t have this.’ There was some item she needed, I can’t quite remember what it was. Jaspal sir immediately said, ‘What do you need, beta? I’ll bring it right now.‘ He himself went to a stall, bought it, and handed it to her. When she asked about the money, he said, ‘No, beta, no money. I brought it for you, take it.’ He was a very open-hearted person.”Despite his legendary status, Rana routinely went out of his way to validate and encourage grassroots coaches working outside the national setup.“Compared to him, I am a very small coach. Coming from the Army, I haven’t achieved anything close to what he did,” Suresh said. “But whenever we met somewhere, he’d say, ‘Brother, you’re a good coach. You’re preparing good kids. You’re producing talent for India. We’ll take these kids forward, you don’t worry at all.’ He was always very helpful. He would say, ‘If you ever need to ask anything for any child, you can always ask me.‘”To him, technical insight was not proprietary information meant only for his personal pupils. If a young shooter from a different academy asked for technical adjustments or a quick tip, he would stand behind them at the lane, patiently breaking down the mechanics of the shot.When the team landed back in India, Suresh was at the airport at 2:00 AM to receive the students returning from the Munich World Cup. It was there that he noticed Rana was in physical distress.“He had already been having some trouble since Germany itself,” Suresh recalled. “And when he got off the flight, he was sweating too much. He looked uncomfortable. It was 2 AM, but as soon as he left the airport, he went straight to the hospital.”When the news of his sudden passing shook the shooting fraternity, the national team was gathered for a camp in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, the mountain state where Rana was born. The entire ecosystem he helped shape was present in his birthplace, but he was nowhere to be seen.Few felt the void more acutely than Manu Bhaker.“Manu is extremely in tremendous pain today because he was her personal coach,” Suresh added. “The whole team is here. As soon as Manu got the news, she immediately left for Delhi.”Beyond winning the medals for the country and coaching some of its finest talents, perhaps his greatest legacy lay in the acts of generosity that made a young athlete feel seen, a fellow coach feel valued, and one of his students leave the national camp behind to pay her final tributes. We may never see Jaspal Rana pacing the shooting ranges again, but will he truly leave?By dedicating his life entirely to “acche kaaran” (good cause), Rana gave life to the closing lines of Rabindranath Tagore‘s famous poem, “Mrityunjay” (Conqueror of Death):“No matter how great you become, you are not greater than death. I will depart leaving behind these final words: I am greater than death.”
The United States officially launched its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on home soil as Mauricio Pochettino’s side faced Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium. The occasion represented a landmark moment for American soccer, with the World Cup returning to the country for the first time since the memorable 1994 tournament.
A packed stadium, elaborate entertainment and a vibrant atmosphere underlined the significance of the event as the United States completed the opening sequence of matches hosted across the three co-host nations.
Advertisement
Yet amid the celebrations, one notable figure was missing: U.S. President Donald Trump.
A Historic Night for American Football
Advertisement
The United States entered the tournament carrying the hopes of a nation eager to make an impact on football’s biggest stage.
Following opening ceremonies in Mexico City and Toronto earlier in the week, Los Angeles hosted its own pre-match spectacle before the Americans began their World Cup journey against Paraguay.
Advertisement
Fans packed the stadium hours before kickoff, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the country’s previous experience as World Cup hosts more than three decades ago.
For many supporters, it was a symbolic moment marking the start of what organizers hope will be a transformative tournament for soccer in the United States.
Why Trump Was Not in Attendance?
Advertisement
Despite the significance of the occasion, President Trump did not travel to California for the opening fixture.
According to officials connected to the White House’s World Cup coordination efforts, the President’s schedule prevented him from attending the match.
Advertisement
Andrew Giuliani, who oversees the White House’s World Cup task force, indicated that multiple commitments in Washington made it difficult for the President to be present for the tournament opener.
“He remains closely involved with the World Cup preparations and will continue following the tournament throughout the summer,” Giuliani said while discussing the President’s plans.
Advertisement
Not the only host nation leader missing
Trump was not the only leader of a host nation absent from an opening World Cup fixture. Earlier in the tournament, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also chose not to attend Mexico’s opening match against South Africa at the iconic Azteca Stadium.
Advertisement
Their absences highlighted the reality that even major sporting occasions can sometimes clash with national and governmental responsibilities. Katy Perry headlines opening ceremony in USA
Katy Perry headlined the opening ceremony in Los Angeles before the United States faced Paraguay in both teams’ opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After Mexico and Canada staged their own opening celebrations earlier in the tournament, the spotlight shifted to the United States for the final host-nation ceremony.
Advertisement
The star-studded show featured performances from K-pop sensation Lisa, Brazilian singer Anitta, South African artist Tyla and Nigerian star Rema, while rapper Future also took part in the festivities. The ceremony lasted approximately 13 minutes and served as a vibrant curtain-raiser before attention turned to the action on the pitch.
White House Commitments Take Priority
Advertisement
One of the primary reasons behind Trump’s absence is a major event scheduled in Washington over the coming days.
The President is expected to remain in the capital ahead of a large-scale UFC Freedom 250 celebration planned at the White House.
Advertisement
The event is set to coincide with Trump’s 80th birthday celebrations and has become a key commitment on his schedule, making a cross-country trip to Los Angeles impractical.
Still Expected to Play a Role During the Tournament
Advertisement
Although he missed the opening match, sources close to the World Cup organizing effort suggest Trump is expected to remain engaged with the tournament as it progresses.
With matches taking place across the United States over the next several weeks, there are likely to be future opportunities for presidential involvement, particularly if the host nation advances deep into the competition.
Advertisement
For now, however, the spotlight remains firmly on the players as the United States begins its quest to make history on home soil.
The USMNT and Paraguay kicked off at 9 p.m. ET from Los Angeles Stadium. The USMNT, coached by Mauricio Pochettino, enters Friday at the No. 17 spot in the FIFA World Rankings.
The United States’ World Cup bid got off to a dream start when Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla scored an own goal in the sixth minute, giving the Americans an early lead in the highly anticipated group stage matchup.
Christian Pulisic of the United State celebrates with teammates their first goal, an own goal scored by Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla on June 12, 2026 in Inglewood, California.(:Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)
Fans inside the packed stadium in Inglewood, California, roared as the USMNT seized an early advantage.
Folarin Balogun doubled the United States’ lead in the 30th minute. The New York native celebrated enthusiastically with his teammates after scoring his first World Cup goal, a milestone moment in his international career.
Balogun’s strike gave the U.S. a two-goal cushion in the 30th minute, the third-fastest the Americans have reached that mark in a World Cup match. The only time Team USA managed to put the ball in the net sooner was in 2002 against Portugal (29th minute) and in a 1930 meeting with Paraguay (15th minute).
Advertisement
Folarin Balogun of USA and Gustavo Gomez of Paraguay compete for the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Balogun struck again just before halftime, extending the United States’ lead and sending the crowd in Inglewood into a frenzy. Balogun raced onto a pinpoint pass from teammate Malik Tillman before curling a shot into the top-left corner for a standout goal.
Team USA headed into halftime with a commanding 3-0 lead.
England were victims of a theft of their training equipment before their arrival in Kansas City on Saturday.
The Football Association is trying to ascertain what was stolen, with balls and boots among the items feared to have been taken, after vehicles transferring equipment to their Swope Soccer Village base in Kansas City were broken into.
Thomas Tuchel and his squad will arrive in Kansas City on Saturday afternoon and the equipment was due to be in place beforehand.
Police officers, who are in touch with the FA, were on site on Friday night dealing with the matter.
Advertisement
It is understood two arrests have been made in connection with the episode.
The theft could potentially disrupt some of Tuchel’s preparations for their World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday (21:00 BST).
The England players will undertake their first full training day on Sunday.
The event, named ‘UFC Freedom 250’, will take place on Sunday 14 June. The fights will begin at 5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET (1am BST on Monday).
How can I watch it?
The event will stream live on Paramount+ in the US and UK. TNT Sports and HBO Max also allow access to the fights in the UK. It was thought that CBS could show some of the action in the US, but Dana White said at the final pre-fight press conference: “It’s very simple, it’s on Paramount+. The whole show is on Paramount+.”
White, 56, said in May: “[Trump] wants this to be mostly for the military, so there’s gonna be 4,300 people there. I just literally went over it right now; 4,300 people, and most of them will be military. 100 per cent [it’s a ‘thank you’ to the military].
“We’re gonna give away about 85,000 tickets [to the Ellipse]. There’s a process, you have to register for tickets, and they’re free […] For those who don’t know, the Ellipse is a massive park. Literally, you’ll be able to see the fight[s] from the Ellipse, but we have screens, we’ve got stages, we’ve got music.”
What other events will take place this week?
Advertisement
Trump holding a mock-up image of the UFC’s Octagon on the South Lawn (AFP/Getty)
A press conference will take place at the Lincoln Memorial on Friday 12 June, beginning at 5.30pm PT / 7.30pm CT / 8.30pm ET (1.30am BST on Saturday).
Then, on Saturday 13 June, a fan festival will play out at the Ellipse, a large park located next to the White House. That will begin at 12.30pm PT / 2.30pm CT / 3.30pm ET (8.30pm BST). Thereafter, the ceremonial weigh-in for the fight card will get started at 5.30pm PT / 7.30pm CT / 8.30pm ET (1.30am BST on Sunday), followed by a concert from the Zac Brown Band at 6.30pm PT / 8.30pm CT / 9.30pm ET (2.30am BST on Sunday).
UFC president Dana White before the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner (Getty)
Speaking last September, White said:“The last time I was at the White House, I went up on the roof of the White House, and they’ve got snipers with .50 cals all over the roof of the White House. It’s pretty crazy. But yes, I mean, the security is gonna be a massive issue, because at the end of the day, secret service’s job is to protect the president.”
In late April, Mr Trump was seemingly targeted by a shooter at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, and alleged suspect Cole Allen was later charged with attempted assassination.
Advertisement
In fact, White was present and said afterwards: “It started to get noisy. Tables started getting flipped over, guys running with guns and they were screaming ‘get down!’ I didn’t get down. It was f***ing awesome, and I literally took every minute of it in. It was a pretty crazy, unique experience. We were sitting right in front of the table, right in front of where the president was. Nobody got tackled but guys came in looking for shooters, I thought the shooter was over by us or something.”
The future of New Orleans Saints star running back Alvin Kamara continues to be one of the most intriguing NFL storylines this offseason. With a hefty salary cap hit and the team bringing in Travis Etienne Jr., the Saints are weighing options around Kamara ahead of next season.
A social media post from the veteran on Friday added more fuel to the speculation. Kamara shared a post that centered on the importance of building new relationships and connections on X, and it immediately caught the attention of Saints fans, who are monitoring his situation.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
“Haven’t had time for anybody outside of my circle lately. Building…,” Kamara wrote.
•
Advertisement
Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!
While the message was vague and didn’t make a direct reference to football and his uncertain future with the Saints, many interpreted it as potentially significant. This is given the ongoing questions about whether Alvin Kamara will remain in New Orleans in the upcoming season.
Advertisement
Although the veteran running back remains under contract with the Saints, the franchise has openly acknowledged that his long-term fit with the organization is still being evaluated. It is noteworthy that the team is navigating salary cap challenges and potential roster transition.
The timing of Alvin Kamara’s post has, however, left many guessing what could be going on behind the scenes regarding his future. His absence from the Saints’ OTAs this week has further ignited the rumors around him, but he’s expected to show up for the mandatory minicamp.
Analyst explores how Alvin Kamara’s return will impact the Saints’ depth chart
With the Saints yet to make a move on the future of Alvin Kamara, it looks like the running back will be on the team’s 53-man roster for the 2026 season. Saints Wire’s John Sigler explores how the veteran’s return will impact the team’s running back depth chart this fall.
“We know that Etienne and Kamara are safe (barring a hiccup in contract talks that leads to Kamara being traded),” Sigler wrote. “That leaves two spots for five players, with the likeliest candidates looking like Miller, Neal, and Estime.
“That’s not to say Chandler and Donaldson don’t have a chance, but there’s less invested in those guys than their competition, or at least not enough to give them an edge. They have a steeper hill to climb.”
It remains to be seen how much Kamara will be involved in the Saints’ run game next season with the presence of Travis Etienne. He appeared in just 11 games last season, recording a career-low 471 rushing yards and a touchdown. Nonetheless, his legacy at the franchise speaks for itself.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts from the sideline following a second-quarter sequence at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Oct 5, 2025, in Tottenham, United Kingdom, during an NFL International Series matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The image captures in-game intensity, body language, and immediate feedback as momentum shifted on a global stage. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The summer is the time for overreaction. So, let’s lean in.
Some Vikings players shined at minicamp. As in, they stood out as being players who looked unusually explosive and active. Putting pads on the fellas and allowing for greater physicality does change the calculus, meaning these assessments need to be understood as being educated guesses (at best). Take them for what they are within the understanding that more evidence — training camp and the preseason — will change opinions.
A Trio of Vikings Players Who Looked Explosive
Player No. 1 — WR Dillon Bell
Advertisement
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) makes a catch to score a touchdown during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
A gadget guy, perhaps, Dillon Bell looks like somebody who is all gas, no brakes. For good reason, Bell is getting plenty of hype.
The rookie receiver boasts good size and knows how to cut violently. Athletic trainers are going to need more tape to fix up the broken ankles of the poor defensive backs trying to slow Bell down.
Essentially, get the ball in his hands in green grass to let him do good things. Could he be a weapon on bubble screens? What about jet sweeps? Basically, find creative ways to put the ball into his hands to contribute toward keeping the other side off balance.
What’s going to make Bell undeniable is if he proves to be a weapon as a kickoff returner. Doing so will mean he makes the team.
Advertisement
Player No. 2 — DT Levi Drake Rodriguez
Nov 23, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) and teammates Levi Drake Rodriguez (50) and Blake Cashman (51) await to take the field prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The DT brings a glorious degree of chaos to the line of scrimmage.
Quite possibly, Ryan Nielsen is going to push him to a new level. He’s getting into his third NFL season, often the time when players really take a step. He always had an uphill climb due to playing for a smaller school and being a touch light to play defensive tackle. Plus, he got scooped up in the 7th, meaning nothing was guaranteed.
What’s evident, though, is that he has a high-level of compete. He moves with violent urgency, the kind of effort that can’t be taught. In some ways, it’s reminiscent of the Everson Griffen motor. I think Rodriguez is a starter in 2026.
Chuck Demmings doesn’t lack for personality. Nor does he seem to lack for confidence.
Going from small-school corner to NFL corner is quite the leap. Watching him means seeing somebody who doesn’t appear overwhelmed. Demmings will get over top of a receiver’s toes before the snap, clearly signalling a willingness to take on the pass catcher in a man-to-man fashion. Demmings seems to be quite willing to risk getting beat since he trusts his physicality and speed.
Best guess is that the 5th-Round rookie is the CB4, but he may carve out a role for himself.
Editor’s Note: Thanks for following along this week, folks. Plenty more content to come on VT and P/PTSD. Feel free to follow along on social media, too.
USA vs Paraguay Live Updates, FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D: After a breathtaking opening ceremony, the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group D match between USA and Paraguay begins. The two sides are familiar foes, with Mauricio Pochettino’s men securing a 2-1 victory in Chester, Pennsylvania, in November. Paraguay, who are making their first World Cup appearance since South Africa 2010, qualified for the global finals with a sixth-place finish in CONMEBOL qualifying, registering some eye-catching victories along the way. History was made when the USA and Paraguay locked horns at the inaugural global showpiece in 1930, the only occasion the two sides have met in the global finals. (MATCH CENTRE)
Here are the Live Score and Updates of USA vs Paraguay FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D:
While the United States possess one of the most exciting attacks in Group D, defensive frailties remain a major concern heading into the tournament.
Pulisic, McKennie and Balogun provide pace, creativity and goals, and the Americans will hope to settle nerves by striking early against Paraguay.
However, the backline has struggled for consistency, with goalkeeper Matt Freese expected to face a stern examination. The Americans have managed only one clean sheet in their last 13 matches and have conceded 11 goals in their previous four outings, raising questions over their ability to withstand pressure against stronger opponents later in the competition.
Pochettino has sought to improve defensive organisation since taking charge, but the opening match will provide an early indication of whether progress has been made. A convincing performance could ease concerns and provide a confidence boost for the remainder of the group stage.
Team USA takes centre stage on Friday evening as the 2026 World Cup’s third opening ceremony unfolds at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, featuring pop star Katy Perry. The USMNT faces Paraguay in their tournament opener, a moment of reckoning for American soccer on home soil amid visa concerns, soaring ticket prices, and competing sports dominating the conversation. Follow our blog to learn more.
Official lineups for USA-Paraguay:
United States: Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun
Paraguay: Orlando Gill, Omar Alderete, Juan Jose Caceres, Junior Alonso, Gustavo Gomez, Diego Gomez, Miguel Almiron, Andres Cubas, Damian Bobadilla, Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso
Advertisement
Let’s go!
Referee Danny Makkelie blows the whistle and the match is underway.
The anthems ring out
Paraguay’s national anthem fills SoFi Stadium, followed by the “Star-Spangled Banner” as the crowd joins in unison. Thousands of voices echo through the arena!
Advertisement
Katy Perry takes the stage
@Gary Vasquez, Reuters
Advertisement
About 10 minutes to kick off!
Flag-bearers from all countries process across the SoFi stadium.
@Daniel Cole, Reuters
Advertisement
“La Albirroja” during warm up
@Matthew Childs, Reuters
Advertisement
Official lineups
Paraguay: Orlando Gill, Omar Alderete, Juan Jose Caceres, Junior Alonso, Gustavo Gomez, Diego Gomez, Miguel Almiron, Andres Cubas, Damian Bobadilla, Antonio Sanabria, Julio Enciso
United States: Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun
Advertisement
Anitta adds Brazilian fire
Brazilian sensation Anitta brings the energy and rhythm of Latin America to the stage, a fitting tribute to the tournament’s North American hosts.
Advertisement
Lisa brings K-pop royalty to SoFi
BLACKPINK’s Lisa is a global phenomenon. The Thai-born superstar has transcended music to appear in HBO’s hit series White Lotus. Her presence signals the World Cup’s embrace of global pop culture.
@Lisi Niesner, Reuters
Advertisement
A galaxy of global stars takes the stage
Future and Tyla kick things off with high energy.
@Lisi Niesner, Reuters
Advertisement
Paraguay’s starting XI
Team USA starting XI
Advertisement
Trump called US World Cup team before first match
President Donald Trump called the US World Cup squad ahead of their debut match against Paraguay, the team said Friday.
In a video shared on social media, the US Soccer Men’s National Team said the 79-year-old leader called Thursday night with a message of support.
Andrew Giuliani, the head of the White House Task Force for the World Cup, can be seen speaking with Trump on speakerphone, telling the president: “I’m standing in front of 26 champions and a great coach,” before handing the phone to US head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Advertisement
“I just called to say you’re a fantastic guy, a fantastic coach, and you’re all about your record and your success, and I know how great the players are. I think you’ve got a really good chance of going all the way,” Trump said.
“I just want to wish you a lot of luck,” he added.
“Thank you so much for your support, Mr. President,” responded Pochettino.
Advertisement
The World Cup returns to America
The United States launch their World Cup challenge on Friday, taking on Paraguay in the first game in the tournament on US soil for 32 years.
Advertisement
Welcome soccer/football fans!
Welcome to our liveblog covering the third opening ceremony of the World Cup and the first match of Group D between the USA and Paraguay!
Advertisement
For the first time since 1994, the United States hosts the World Cup. On Friday at 9:30pm ET, Team USA takes on Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles for their Group D opener.
The USMNT and Paraguay have faced each other three times in competitive matches, with the US holding a 2-1 record. Their most recent encounter came during World Cup qualifying in 2021, when the Americans won 3-0 in Columbus. Paraguay, ranked 69th in the world, will be looking to pull off an upset on American soil.
The US enters the tournament with growing momentum, having won their last four friendlies and boasting a squad that blends experienced European-based talent with emerging MLS stars. Coach Gregg Berhalter has overseen a team seeking to prove that American soccer belongs on the world stage. Over 70,000 supporters are expected to fill SoFi Stadium for what promises to be a charged atmosphere – a test of whether US.soccer can capture the nation’s imagination.
Advertisement
The match will be preceded by a 15-minute opening ceremony featuring American pop icon Katy Perry and performances celebrating the host nation’s diversity and soccer culture.
![BITCOIN: CRAZY!!!! THIS IS CRAZY!!!! [trades]](https://wordupnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1778214197_maxresdefault-80x80.jpg)
You must be logged in to post a comment Login