The United States are probably under more pressure than any other team in the opening round of fixtures at the 2026 World Cup.
They are expected to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002, and that is only likely if they win their group.
With Turkey likely to pose the biggest threat in Group D, the USMNT need to beat Paraguay in their first match.
Here is the best starting lineup available for head coach Mauricio Pochettino against Paraguay on Friday night.
How the USMNT should line up at World Cup 2026
Matt Freese and Matt Turner have been competing for the starting goalkeeper position ever since Pochettino took charge.
With both players starring for MLS clubs, there is little between them other than international experience.
Freese has played considerably fewer USA games than Turner, but he has probably just about earned the number one jersey.
Chris Richards’ availability has been a key talking point heading into the World Cup, as he missed both warm-up games.
Assuming that he has recovered from his ankle injury, Richards should start alongside captain Tim Ream in defence.
Antonee Robinson and Alex Freeman are the USA’s two best full-backs, with Sergino Dest playing further up the pitch.
Tyler Adams has enjoyed an excellent 2025/26 season with Bournemouth in the Premier League and fully deserves his place.
His central midfield partner should be Weston McKennie, who simply has more quality than the other contenders.
The third midfield position is up for grabs, but Malik Tillman probably won the race with his performance against Germany.
The Bayer Leverkusen star must have impressed Pochettino with his relentless pressing of the German players.
None other than Captain America, Christian Pulisic, must start on the left wing, with Dest on the right.
If the USMNT want to reach the latter stages, Pulisic will need to bring his A-game throughout the tournament.
Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright both had impressive domestic seasons, but Folarin Balogun remains the USA’s top striker.
The Monaco forward scored the winning goal in the USMNT’s 3-2 victory over Senegal last week.
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