Pochettino Praises USA’s Performance After 4-1 Victory Over Paraguay in World Cup 2026

Argentinian coach Mauricio Pochettino commended his players following a resounding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

On Saturday morning, the USA secured a significant win against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, marking the first match of the group stage in the tournament.

In an interview with BBC after the game, Pochettino expressed his pride, stating, “I feel immense pride and the players and coaching staff deserve all the credit for this performance. The most important thing is how we played and how we feel. We know this is just the beginning and only one match, but now we must be smart to continue our journey this way.”.

He added, “We are very happy because the first match is always challenging, especially with the World Cup being hosted here and the high expectations. However, we managed to handle those expectations and pressure well. The first 45 minutes were fantastic; it’s hard to find a team that plays at this level. We are very happy and proud.”.

USA’s Lineup Against Paraguay in World Cup 2026

Goalkeeper: Freese.

Defense: Freeman, Richards, Ream, Dest, Robinson.

Midfield: Adams, McKennie, Tillman.

Attack: Pulisic, Balogun.

Paraguay’s Lineup Against USA in World Cup 2026

Goalkeeper: Gill.

Defense: Caceres Gomez, Alderete, Alonso.

Midfield: Diego, Cubas, Bobadilla.

Attack: Almirón, Sanabria, Enciso.