Richards declares himself fit to anchor USA defence for Paraguay World Cup opener

Chris Richards declared himself fit to start for the United States at the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, allaying fears that the Crystal Palace centre-back would miss a second consecutive tournament after suffering an ankle injury last month.

Speaking to reporters at the U.S. Men’s National Team training base in Irvine, California, Richards showed no visible sign of the problem that forced him off on a stretcher during Palace’s 2-2 draw with Brentford on 17 May. “I’m feeling good,” he said. “Maybe it’s a little swollen, [but] I’m ready.”

The stakes could hardly be higher for the 25-year-old Alabama-born defender. Richards had been pencilled in to anchor the U.S. back line at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar before a torn hamstring ruled him out entirely, leaving him to watch the Americans’ run to the knockout stage from home. The prospect of a repeat was briefly very real. “I was pretty devastated,” he admitted. “I feared the worst.”

Once it became clear the ankle would sideline him for weeks rather than months, Richards said his focus narrowed to a single question: “How do I get ready to play against Paraguay?” The answer was intensive, near-constant rehabilitation. “That’s what I’ve been doing for 24 hours [a day],” he said. “Whatever it takes to be available.”

His return could not come at a better time for a U.S. side that has looked vulnerable without him. The Americans conceded twice in each of their two pre-tournament friendlies, against Senegal and Germany, shipping goals that Richards’s organisational presence might well have prevented.

He has now trained fully for three consecutive days under Argentine head coach Mauricio Pochettino, with no restrictions and no adverse reaction. “Part of playing the sport is you’re gonna have some pain at some point,” Richards said. “I’m totally OK with that as long as functionally I’m good.”

Teammates have noticed the difference. Forward Haji Wright confirmed Richards had looked sharp in training sessions whose intensity, Richards joked, speaks for itself under Pochettino’s demanding methods.

The United States open their 2026 World Cup campaign against Paraguay on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood. The tournament is co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.