USA Powers Past Paraguay 4-1 as Co-Hosts Enjoy Strong Start to FIFA World Cup 2026

The three co-hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the United States, Mexico, and Canada, could hardly have hoped for a better start to their campaigns, delivering strong performances in front of enthusiastic home crowds during the opening round of group-stage matches.

Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 victory over South Africa, scoring once in each half. Canada followed by securing a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina thanks to a late second-half goal, earning its first-ever FIFA World Cup point after seven matches across three tournament appearances. The United States completed the successful opening round for the hosts with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Paraguay.

Widely regarded as the most expensive World Cup in history, the tournament has already attracted large crowds to all three host nations’ opening matches. The encouraging results are expected to generate even greater enthusiasm as the teams continue their pursuit of a place in the knockout rounds.

Among the co-hosts, the United States produced the most commanding performance. In front of 70,492 spectators, the Americans capitalized on an early own goal before forward Folarin Balogun scored twice and midfielder Gio Reyna added a late strike to secure a convincing victory. Christian Pulisic recorded his third career World Cup assist, while Balogun became the first American player to score a brace in a World Cup match since 1930.

The victory lifted confidence within the U.S. camp ahead of its next Group D match against Australia in Seattle on June 19.

Balogun’s two first-half goals helped the Americans establish a commanding lead before Reyna sealed the result in stoppage time, earning the United States three points from its opening match of the tournament.

The match drew the seventh-largest crowd ever to watch the U.S. Men’s National Team in a World Cup game and the largest since 1994. The four-goal performance also set a new record for the most goals scored by the U.S. in a FIFA World Cup match.

With the win, the United States moved to the top of Group D. Australia and Türkiye, the other teams in the group, are scheduled to meet on June 13 at BC Place in Vancouver.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino made one change to the lineup that faced Germany in the team’s final pre-tournament match on June 6, restoring defender Chris Richards after his recovery from an ankle injury.

Richards anchored a defense that included veteran captain Tim Ream and 21-year-old World Cup debutant Alex Freeman. Balogun, Freeman, midfielder Malik Tillman, and goalkeeper Matt Freese were among five players making their FIFA World Cup debuts.

Paraguay tested Freese almost immediately, creating a scoring opportunity just 76 seconds into the match. The United States responded with an effort from Balogun that forced a save from Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

The breakthrough came early when Pulisic and Weston McKennie combined effectively during a transition attack. McKennie’s pass across the face of goal was inadvertently turned into the net by Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla, giving the United States a 1-0 lead.

Despite Paraguay’s increasingly physical approach after conceding, the Americans maintained control of possession and continued to create chances. In the 28th minute, Balogun appeared to double the lead, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a video review.

Balogun soon found the scoresheet again. Pulisic drove into the penalty area before delivering an accurate cross that Balogun converted with a clinical finish into the lower corner, scoring his first World Cup goal.

The striker added a second goal in first-half stoppage time. After receiving a long pass from Tillman, Balogun evaded a challenge, cut inside another defender, and curled a left-footed shot into the top corner. The goal sent the home crowd into celebration and gave the United States a historic 3-0 halftime lead, its first such advantage in World Cup history.

Paraguay reduced the deficit in the 73rd minute when Mauricio scored following a free kick, making it 3-1. However, the Americans remained in control and continued to press forward in search of additional goals.

Their persistence paid off deep into stoppage time. Reyna, who entered as a substitute in the 82nd minute, produced an impressive finish with the outside of his right foot to score the United States’ fourth goal and complete a memorable opening-night performance.

The result gives the United States an early advantage in Group D and reinforces hopes of a deep run in front of home supporters as the tournament progresses.

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