The bright lights of the U.S. men’s national team’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign turn on Friday night in Los Angeles and head coach Mauricio Pochettino backs them to be ready for them.Paraguay awaits the Americans at Los Angeles Stadium in both team’s Group D opener, a rematch of last November’s friendly showdown. The USMNT captured a 2-1 victory on that day, using goals from Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun to get the job done at Subaru Park. However, with a crucial three points up for grabs, the stakes will be much higher in the second-ever USMNT-Paraguay World Cup showdown. Pochettino knows the importance of the USMNT starting off group stage play with a victory, affirming that they won’t need any extra help getting motivated. “Everybody knows how to be ready,” Pochettino said at a press conference on Thursday. “They don’t need any external motivation or an inspirational speech. If you are not ready, I’m sorry guys. It’s impossible to perform.“They need to think tomorrow and play like they are a child,” he added. “With no pressure, with no responsibility, and to play doing what they need to do and what not to do.”One of the USMNT’s biggest rivals and fellow World Cup co-hosts, Mexico, opened its Group A schedule on Thursday with a 2-0 victory over South Africa. The newly-named Mexico City Stadium (traditionally Estadio Azteca) watched El Tri ride goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez to a shutout win over their African opponents, taking an early first step to advancing to the knockout stage. 80,824 fans, mainly Mexico supporters, were loud and noisy from the opening whistle, backing their team to a vital opening day result. Pochettino hopes that the American fans can do the same on Friday night, admitting that the support can play a major part in the USMNT’s tournament run. “It’s contagious,” Pochettino said about fan support. “We need to play with passion, we need to win games. We need to make the fans proud of our team on the field to create that emotional relationship.” After not having the services of leading centerback Chris Richards for recent friendlies against Senegal and Germany, Pochettino confirmed that the veteran defender is back available for Friday’s match. Richards had been rehabbing an ankle injury that he suffered with English club Crystal Palace back on May 17, which forced him to watch the final two tuneups. “Chris is available to be selected, and then we will decide if he starts from the beginning of the game or is on the bench,” Pochettino said about Richards. In addition, the Argentine head coach revealed that he has already decided his entire starting lineup, but will not tell the players until tomorrow. Pochettino had several key decisions to make involving his lineup including the race between Matt Turner and Matt Freese for the No. 1 goalkeeper position, as well as who would join up with Christian Pulisic in the team’s attack.While things could still change before warmups from California, it’s hard to see Pochettino altering his plans. “I already decided,” Pochettino added about the USMNT’s starting lineup. “It’s done. The starting XI is there.”