USA lineup vs. Paraguay: Predicted XI for World Cup 2026 Group D match as Pochettino makes Richards decision

The waiting is astir implicit for World Cup 2026 co-hosts USA, who footwear disconnected their Group D campaign against Paraguay on Friday.

Across respective pre-tournament friendlies, Mauricio Pochettino's men person switched betwixt a four-man defence and a flexible backmost three, but skipper Tim Ream is acceptable to diagnostic either way. 

Alex Freeman, Miles Robinson and Mark McKenzie are each vying for enactment alongside the erstwhile Fulham defender, arsenic Crystal Palace centre-back Chris Richards is simply a large doubt.

Richards only resumed afloat grooming connected Monday morning, having torn ankle ligaments portion playing for Palace midway done May; aft missing friendlies against Senegal and Germany, the 26-year-old is present improbable to start.

Out wide, Sergino Dest should shuttle on the close flank, with Antonee Robinson - who scored a stunner versus Germany - beardown favourite to diagnostic connected the left.

Meanwhile, successful midfield, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie volition supply vigor and Bayer Leverkusen's Malik Tillman is acceptable to play a much originative role.

The States' prima antheral astatine Qatar 2022, 'Captain America ' Christian Pulisic should support Folarin Balogun up front, with Ricardo Pepi having to settee for a spot connected the bench.

Between the hosts' posts, Matt Freese has definitively taken implicit from erstwhile fig 1 Matt Turner arsenic Pochettino's archetypal choice. 

USA imaginable starting lineup: Freese; Freeman, M. Robinson, Ream; Dest, McKennie, Adams, A. Robinson; Pulisic, Tillman; Balogun

> Click present to spot however Paraguay could enactment up against the USA