Fox News chief correspondent Jonathan Hunt provides an update on the FIFA World Cup 2026, live from Los Angeles Stadium. He features the U.S. national team preparing for their upcoming match against Paraguay, discussing their potential for winning the coveted trophy. Hunt shares his insights on the team's performance, emphasizing their attacking strength and areas for improvement.

Alright, I'm going on a bold adventure here and I want you to take the ride with me. I tell this story fairly often, but I feel like it is worth mentioning here again. A few years back, I didn't bet on hockey. Outkick asked if I could, and I said I would figure it out. I was successful with it and I've been doing it ever since. Now, for the first time ever, I'm drinking the World Cup Kool-Aid and putting a play out here between the USA and Paraguay.

The USA is not a soccer nation. It is really odd considering that soccer is the largest sport in the world, but like the metric system, we decided it just isn't for us. That isn't to say we haven't had successes in the past, but they are few and far between. Our soccer team isn't even like basketball teams in other nations. Those teams are closer to the USA Basketball program than we are to the best soccer teams.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

Captain Tim Ream leads the United States team onto the field during an open practice ahead of the 2026 World Cup at the Irvine Sports Complex in Irvine, California, on June 8, 2026. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Still, there has been some renewed hope for the squad this year. I won't pretend to tell you that I know a ton about these players, but they've at least put up some respectable numbers against tougher competition. Over their past four matchups, dating back to March, the team is just 1-3 with at least two goals allowed in each game. They've been shut out once, scored three, two and one goal. 

Paraguay is a soccer country. If you asked me to point it out on a map, I probably couldn't, but I can tell you it has improved its soccer team over the past few years. Paraguay missed each of the past three World Cups by not qualifying, but that changed here as the team has made it for the first time since 2010. A lot of the credit is given to manager Gustavo Alfaro, who has a knack for developing young teams.

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Folarin Balogun #20 of United States celebrates with teammates after scoring during the second half of the international friendly match between United States and Senegal at Bank of America Stadium on May 31, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Cory Knowlton/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

On their squad they have a strong mix of younger players and veteran leadership. It will be interesting to see how the team comes together against some of these tougher competitors. Looking back at their past three games, all since March of this year, they have gone 2-1, beating Nicaragua and Greece. Their loss was to Morocco. I'm not sure that I would say these teams are better than those that the US faced, but they aren't slouches either.

In this matchup, I expect the strategy to be cautious, and attack only when there are golden opportunities. Teams in the World Cup know how important these games are and know that they can get points from draws. You need as many as possible if you want hope of getting out of the group stages.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

U.S. midfielder Landon Donovan celebrates with striker Jozy Altidore and goalkeeper Tim Howard after their 1-0 win in the Group C first round match at the 2010 World Cup on June 23 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Tshwane, South Africa. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP)

I think the game should see at least three goals. My call here is a 2-1 final for the U.S., which pays at a decent price if you want to do the exact number. The over for the game also pays at +135 if you want to take that. Even just playing the U.S. -- on the three-way moneyline -- pays at +105. Give me just the over 2.5 goals here though. 

Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox

Subscribed

You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!