The 2026 World Cup arrives on American soil Friday evening as the United States faces Paraguay in Group D's opening match at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, with pop star Katy Perry headlining the ceremony. According to France 24, the USMNT's tournament debut carries outsized significance—a moment of reckoning for American soccer on home turf. The buildup has been complicated by visa delays for international fans, record-breaking ticket prices, and competition from other sports vying for attention. For the co-host nation, this match represents both an opportunity to capitalize on home advantage and an early test of whether the country can deliver on its soccer ambitions.

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