Chris Richards ready for Paraguay as Pochettino bets on vibes

Richards: I'm ready for Paraguay

Chris Richards says his ankle is fine and he is ready to go for the World Cup opener against Paraguay on Friday. The USMNT defender has been a fitness concern, but Richards confirmed he will be available for selection (2). That is a big boost – your backline looks far more settled with him in it.

Poch's World Cup bet: vibes over tactics

Mauricio Pochettino is making a bold bet that team chemistry matters more than tactical blueprints. The USMNT boss has leaned heavily on building belief inside the squad ahead of the tournament, arguing that connection and confidence can carry this group deeper than any system (3). He even claimed the U.S. can win the whole thing despite having zero players ranked in the global top 100 (1). Bold talk.

Balboa: USA not just Pulisic FC

Former USMNT defender Marcelo Balboa pushed back on the idea that the team lives and dies by Christian Pulisic, saying there is real depth across the squad heading into the World Cup opener (6). The AC Milan star is still the talisman, but Balboa sees weapons beyond just one man.

World Cup starts now, your team plays Friday

The 2026 World Cup kicks off Thursday, and the USMNT begins its campaign Friday against Paraguay (5). It has been a bumpy cycle – a semifinal Gold Cup exit, a group-stage Copa América flameout, tensions with former players in the media – but none of that matters now. The first game sets the tone.

Fan reactions

The mood among USMNT fans is a strange mix of nervous excitement and lowered expectations. A detailed Group D preview on Reddit has some supporters still scarred from the Panama losses and questioning whether this group can handle the pressure of a home World Cup. Others are debating what a realistic run looks like – quarterfinals feels ambitious to many, but nobody wants to be the ones saying it out loud. Read the full preview here.