United States opens World Cup with 4-1 win over Paraguay
Folarin Balogun scored twice as the U.S. began its 2026 World Cup campaign with a Group D victory in Los Angeles.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
The United States began its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles, giving the cohost an early lift in Group D. AFP reported that Folarin Balogun scored twice, Gio Reyna added a late fourth and Paraguay also conceded an early own goal.
The match was the first of the tournament played on U.S. soil, according to AFP, with the United States sharing hosting duties with Mexico and Canada. AFP reported that the result put the Americans in a strong early position in a group that also includes Australia and Turkiye.
The U.S. went ahead in the seventh minute. AFP reported that Weston McKennie carried the ball forward from midfield, linked with Christian Pulisic and then tried to find Balogun, only for Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla to turn the ball into his own net.
The early goal set the pattern for a first half controlled by the home side, AFP reported. McKennie and Malik Tillman created danger with quick combinations, while defender Tim Ream helped the U.S. build attacks from the back.
Balogun had a goal disallowed in the 28th minute after he and Pulisic were judged offside in the move, according to AFP. Three minutes later, he scored the U.S. second after Antonee Robinson released Pulisic on the left and Pulisic’s cross reached the Monaco forward with the help of a deflection.
The Americans added their third just before halftime. AFP reported that Tillman found Balogun on the right, and Balogun beat Omar Alderete and Gustavo Gomez before curling a shot into the top left corner.
AFP said the U.S. held 75 percent possession in the opening half and nearly scored again when Chris Richards, back from injury, headed narrowly wide. The only concern for the hosts came at halftime, when Pulisic was withdrawn; AFP described him as the U.S. attacking focal point as the team tries to make a deeper knockout-stage run than it has managed since reaching the quarterfinals in 2002.
Paraguay improved after the break as the U.S. played with less pressure, AFP reported. Julio Enciso, who started despite a hamstring issue, set up Brazil-born substitute Mauricio to pull a goal back.
Reyna ended Paraguay’s comeback hopes in stoppage time. AFP reported that the midfielder struck with the outside of his right foot, bending the ball inside the far post for the fourth U.S. goal.
The game drew a sold-out crowd of 70,492, according to AFP, with Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Paris Hilton among those in attendance. AFP reported that the opening ceremony featured Katy Perry as the headline act, joined by Future, Tyla, Anitta and K-pop singer Lisa, while U.S. President Donald Trump did not attend and instead wished the team luck by phone before kickoff.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.