Predicting the USMNT's starting XI to kick off 2026 World Cup against Paraguay

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally upon us. Mauricio Pochettino's United States men's national team side are set to kick off play in Group D against Paraguay on Friday, but there may still one or two question marks regarding team selection.

The likes of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Antonee Robinson almost certainly have their place in the lineup cemented, but the Pochettino has a decision to make in other key areas of the pitch.

Let's dig into what the starting XI could look like this Friday in Southern California.

GK: Matt Freese

The NYCFC shot-stopper has been a mainstay for Pochettino in recent matches, and despite Matt Turner's return to MLS in the hopes of boosting his stock, Freese will surely get the nod between the sticks from the first whistle.

CB: Alex Freeman

Freeman solidified himself as a great choice on the right of a back-three. With plenty of experience playing as a full-back, he has the ball-playing ability to suit Pochettino's style in possession, while still remaining physical enough to get into a defensive battle.

CB: Chris Richards

Richards' fitness is one of the major talking points heading into the tournament, but I am going off the assumption that he will be fit for most of the matches the U.S. will play. Should that be true, he will be one of the first names on the team-sheet.

CB: Tim Ream

I certainly have had my doubts about the Tim Ream's athletic ability at the tender age of 38. A move out of the Premier League has helped him keep up with the pace of play, but having been given the captain's armband by Pochettino, one must assume he will be chosen to be the veteran leader in a young defensive unit.

RWB: Sergiño Dest

Dest's return to fitness could be key for the USMNT at the World Cup. His technical brilliance down the right-wing gives the attack another dimension from out wide in a team generally lacking natural wingers. This hybrid back-four/back-five is the perfect setup for Dest and his specific skillset.

CM: Weston McKennie

My personal preference is to see McKennie play further up the pitch as one of the number-10s behind the striker, but with Pochettino naming a light midfield pack in his 26-man squad, it has been made clear that McKennie is seen as one of the two in the double-pivot. Nonetheless, it's just great to have a star of this caliber on the pitch.

CM: Tyler Adams

Like McKennie before him, Adams is one of the first names on the team-sheet. His athletic ability in the center of the park is vital for guarding against counter-attacks and helping the U.S. spring forays of their own.

LWB: Antonee Robinson

Robinson may be the USMNT player with the least amount of competition in the squad, but that doesn't take away from his ability to maraud up and down the left flank. Chipping in with wonder-goals from outside of the box is helpful as well...

CAM: Malik Tillman

In this setup with two number-10s behind the striker, Tillman has found himself a comfortable home under Mauricio Pochettino. The Bayer Leverkusen man doesn't have electric attacking ability, but he has shown a propensity for good decision making on the edge of the box. He could be one of the first players to get the axe if Pochettino is looking to change the dynamic of a game, however.

CAM: Christian Pulisic

There is little to say about Pulisic that hasn't already been said. The weight of a nation is seemingly on his shoulders, but luckily for U.S. fans, he looked to be enjoying himself in the World Cup tuneup matches in recent days. As Pulisic goes, the U.S. will too.

ST: Folarin Balogun

The center-forward role is always the key selection, but in Folarin Balogun, the U.S. have found their man. His ability to make the right runs in the box and stretch the defense over the top will be key for the U.S. in transition, and it's in transition where so many goals are scored in international football.

Here is how it looks on paper after all is said and done...