INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA — The U.S. Men's National Team defeated Paraguay 4-1 on June 12, 2026, during the group stage of the FIFA World Cup. Sebastian Berhalter made his FIFA World Cup debut in this match as a second-half substitute.

During the match, Christian Pulisic exited the game in the first half. He aggravated an existing injury after kicking his left calf. Gio Reyna scored the fourth goal for the U.S. against Paraguay. The U.S. will face Australia on Friday at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.

Mauricio Pochettino serves as the head coach of the U.S., having accepted the position approximately 20 months prior to the 2026 World Cup. He previously deployed an offensive lineup against Germany that featured Malik Tillman in a midfield position alongside Tyler Adams. Pochettino said they are trying to set up the best platform for the players to be able to perform, noting the physical and tactical levels are important, but the most important thing is mental and emotional.

Pochettino stated that success is directly tied to winning the World Cup. Pochettino said, "If we don't arrive to the Final and we don't win the World Cup, then in my mind, it is not a success." He added that he wants players to approach the game without pressure. He said he wants them to play free and happy, without worry about the pressure and consequences, and to think and play like a child.

Berhalter earned his 14th international cap for the U.S. during the tournament. He plays professionally as a midfielder for the Vancouver Whitecaps, a team that advanced to the Major League Soccer Cup final in the previous season. Andrés Cubas, a midfielder for Paraguay, is also a club teammate of Berhalter with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Berhalter attended the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as a spectator and signed his first professional contract with the Columbus Crew at age 16. He was born in London, England, while his father, Gregg Berhalter, played for Crystal Palace. Gregg Berhalter currently serves as the head coach of the Chicago Fire.

Speaking about Pochettino's influence, Berhalter noted the coach's belief in him. Berhalter said, "From day one, he believed in me, and I don't think you get that a lot from a coach, especially with his quality." Berhalter said being American means they do not take defeat, something he believes Pochettino instilled.

Paraguay's roster includes Omar Alderete, who leads their defensive line. Julio Enciso, a 22-year-old midfielder for Paraguay, had been managing a muscular injury. Gustavo Alfaro serves as the head coach of the Paraguay national team. Tim Weah, a midfielder for the U.S., said the team was super aggressive with how they played and pressed.