13/06/2026 16:11 - Deportes
Estadio de fútbol moderno con técnicos en la banda y jugadores en la cancha durante un partido nocturno del Mundial
Paraguay's national team fell 4-1 to the United States in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, played on June 13, 2026 at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Head coach Gustavo Alfaro, an Argentine native from Rafaela, Santa Fe, did not hide the reality after the match and openly acknowledged the opponent's superiority.
The heavy defeat leaves Paraguay needing points in their upcoming matches to advance to the knockout stage. Group D consists of United States, Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey.
"The United States was superior, and we acknowledge it. They were more effective and knew how to exploit the spaces we left. Now we must lift our heads and focus on what's ahead," Alfaro stated during the post-match press conference.
The Argentine coach, who previously managed Ecuador's national team and several clubs across South America, promised that Paraguay will fight for qualification in their remaining group matches.
The match had a unique subplot: both head coaches are Argentine. Mauricio Pochettino (born in Murphy, Santa Fe) manages the United States, while Gustavo Alfaro (from Rafaela, Santa Fe) leads Paraguay.
Interestingly, before the match, it was reported that former President Donald Trump personally called Pochettino to wish him luck in the tournament, creating significant media buzz.
Note: Pochettino is a renowned coach who previously managed Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea in European football, making his appointment to the US national team a high-profile move.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Result | United States 4 - 1 Paraguay |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, California |
| Date | June 13, 2026 |
| Group | D (USA, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey) |
| Paraguay's Next Match | June 20 vs Turkey at Bay Arena, San Francisco |
This World Cup marks Paraguay's return to football's biggest stage after a 16-year absence. Their last appearance was in South Africa 2010, where they reached the quarter-finals—their best-ever World Cup performance.
La Albirroja (The Red and White), as Paraguay's national team is affectionately known, will have two more opportunities to earn points: on June 20 against Turkey and June 25 against Australia, both matches at the Bay Arena in San Francisco.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams and 104 matches, a significant expansion from the previous 32-team format. The tournament is co-hosted by three nations: Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
This historic tournament marks the first time the World Cup returns to North America since Mexico 1986, and the first time the United States hosts since 1994.
Despite the tough opening defeat, Alfaro remained hopeful: "This is only the first match. There are two more opportunities, and we will give everything on the pitch to achieve qualification."
Paraguay will look to recover against Turkey on June 20 in San Francisco, in what will be a crucial match for their hopes of advancing to the Round of 32—the new knockout stage created by the expanded format.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
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