United States Open Home World Cup Campaign Against Paraguay in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The United States launch their World Cup campaign on Friday against Paraguay, marking the first match in the tournament staged on American ground in 32 years.

As co-hosts, the US enter the fixture at SoFi Stadium aware that an early mistake could complicate their path. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino said on Thursday that his ambitions go well beyond getting out of Group D.

“For me, successful is to win, is to win tomorrow and win after,” the former Tottenham coach said. “If we don’t arrive to the final and we don’t win the World Cup, to talk about ‘successful’? I don’t know.”

Christian Pulisic leads a gifted US squad trying to show it can stand up to elite opposition while carrying the expectations of supporters at home. Pulisic told AFP the group around him is “able to compete with anyone”.

“We want to be a real force in this tournament,” he said. “We’ve got three really good games to show everyone what we’re all about.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend the Los Angeles match. President Donald Trump has also said he plans to go to the World Cup, though he has not identified which fixtures he will watch.

Before kick-off in Los Angeles, organisers will stage an opening event with a Hollywood feel, including Katy Perry and several other music performers.

Earlier Friday, fellow co-hosts Canada will try to earn their first World Cup victory when they meet Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto. Canada will be without Alphonso Davies, who remains on the way back from a hamstring problem.

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey, who is due to stand trial in Britain on rape charges, has been refused entry to Canada for the World Cup, FIFA said Friday.

“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” the governing body said.

FIFA added that it was “not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas”.

Partey, 32, is nevertheless expected to be available for Ghana’s later Group L matches against England and Croatia, both of which are scheduled for the United States.

The visa issue follows another immigration setback last weekend, when US authorities declined entry to Somali referee Omar Artan for the tournament.

England, meanwhile, are building towards another attempt to capture a first major title in 60 years. Jude Bellingham said every player in the squad needs to feel “loved”.

Bellingham, who plays for Real Madrid, acknowledged that conditions away from the field were not right during Euro 2024, when Gareth Southgate’s England side lost the final to Spain. Southgate has since been replaced by German coach Thomas Tuchel, who has spoken about developing a “brotherhood” within the team.

The tournament began Thursday in Mexico City, where Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy performed before a capacity crowd of 80,000 at the Estadio Azteca.

Mexico, also co-hosts, defeated South Africa 2-0 in an opener that included three red cards. Julian Quinones struck the tournament’s first goal after nine minutes, and 35-year-old forward Raul Jimenez later headed in the second at the Azteca, which became the first stadium to stage matches at three different World Cups.

While the mood inside the venue was celebratory, disorder unfolded outside as dozens of demonstrators clashed with police.

South Korea also began with a victory on the opening day, defeating the Czech Republic 2-1.

This edition of the World Cup features an expanded 48-team field and is set to finish with the final in New Jersey on July 19.