Richards Declared Fit as USMNT Prepare for Paraguay World Cup Opener
USMNT centre-back Chris Richards has returned to full training and says he is ready for Friday's World Cup opener against Paraguay after recovering from ankle ligament damage suffered in May.
United States centre-back Chris Richards has cleared a significant fitness hurdle just in time for the 2026 World Cup. The Crystal Palace defender tore ankle ligaments during the club's league match against Brentford on May 17, an injury that kept him out of both of the USMNT's pre-tournament friendly matches and raised real doubts about his availability for the group stage.
Those concerns appeared to ease on Monday June 8, when Richards returned to full training at Great Park in Irvine, California — the first time he had completed an entire practice session alongside his teammates since the squad's public announcement event in New York on May 26. USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino had spoken candidly about the situation earlier in the camp, describing himself as "a little annoyed" after the rehabilitation information received from Crystal Palace indicated the timeline was running longer than the club had initially communicated.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the opening match, Richards made his position clear: he was ready and feeling good, adding that the occasion itself — a home World Cup — was enough motivation to push through any lingering discomfort. The U.S. face Paraguay on June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, the first of three Group D fixtures that also include Australia and Türkiye.
Richards, 26, is a central figure in the U.S. defensive setup under Pochettino. His presence strengthens the back line for a match that carries enormous pressure — the co-host nation opening at home, in front of a sold-out crowd, against a Paraguay side that will look to frustrate and counter. With Richards fit, Pochettino now has his first-choice options available as the team enters the tournament proper.
Sources: ESPN — USMNT's Chris Richards 'ready' for World Cup opener vs. Paraguay · ESPN — United States defender Richards full participant on Monday · ESPN — Pochettino 'annoyed' as Richards out of final U.S. World Cup tuneup
