Pulisic says United States are ready for tough World Cup opener against Paraguay

LOS ANGELES: United States captain Christian Pulisic said the World Cup co-hosts are prepared for a physical test in their opening match against Paraguay on Friday as expectations build around the host nation's campaign.

The United States is staging the tournament for the first time since 1994 alongside Mexico and Canada. Pulisic told AFP that the team believes it can challenge top opponents and make an impact in the competition.

Speaking ahead of the Group D match, he said the squad must match Paraguay's intensity as well as focus on its own game.

"We know we have to be ready to battle. It's not about just playing beautiful football," said Pulisic.

The match in Los Angeles will begin at 6.00pm local time, or 0100 GMT on Saturday, and will be the first World Cup game played in the United States at this edition of the tournament. It will be preceded by an opening ceremony staged in a Hollywood style. Group D also includes Australia and Turkey.

US aiming to show its quality

Pulisic said the Americans want to establish themselves as genuine contenders and pointed to the group stage as an early chance to demonstrate their level.

"We want to be a real force in this tournament," he told AFP. "We've got three really good games to show everyone what we're all about," he added.

The likely US line-up includes Monaco striker Folarin Balogun in attack, with Pulisic and PSV Eindhoven's Sergino Dest alongside him. In midfield, Juventus player Weston McKennie, Bayer Leverkusen's Malik Tillman and Bournemouth's Tyler Adams are expected to start.

Pulisic goes into the opener after ending a five-month scoring drought in a 3-2 friendly victory over Senegal last month, when he contributed a goal and an assist.

Pochettino warns of Paraguay threat

United States coach Mauricio Pochettino said Paraguay's recent results in qualifying showed how difficult they can be to face. He noted that they had beaten both Argentina and Brazil and said the South American side combines resilience, aggression and technical quality.

Pochettino, who is from Argentina and played with several Paraguayan teammates at Newell's Old Boys, described the matchup as especially demanding because of the teams' regional closeness and Paraguay's competitive character.

"From South America, Paraguay are like brothers for us.. My expectation is tomorrow is going to be very tough, because Paraguay are not only competitive, aggressive. They have good quality."

He also made clear that he does not see merely advancing from Group D as enough.

"For me, successful is to win. Is to win tomorrow. And win after," he said. "If we don't arrive to the final and we don't win the World Cup, to talk about 'successful'? I don't know."

Paraguay bring experience and direct style

Although Paraguay are the lowest-ranked side in the group, they carry significant World Cup pedigree. Their key players include former Newcastle United forward Miguel Almiron and midfielder Julio Enciso, who joined French side Strasbourg from Brighton and Hove Albion last summer.

Defenders Omar Alderete and Gustavo Gomez are described as leaders in the squad. Their Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro, who guided Ecuador to the previous World Cup, has favoured a straightforward approach built around direct play and frequent aerial attacks.

Pulisic said Paraguay would provide a stern examination and added that the United States now has to translate its internal belief into performances on the field.

"Paraguay is a great team and really good test," Pulisic told AFP. "We know from the inside what we're capable of, and now it's about showing it."