World Cup 2026: USMNT's 5 biggest questions, including expectations, lineup decisions and defensive concerns

The USMNT opens its 2026 World Cup campaign on Friday, June 13, 2026, hosting Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The U.S. enters with what is considered perhaps its strongest-ever roster, eight years after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Key questions surrounding the team include realistic expectations, lineup decisions, and defensive concerns heading into the tournament.