The United States men's national team defeated Paraguay 4-1 in its 2026 World Cup opener, the first on home soil in 32 years. Striker Folarin Balogun scored twice, becoming the first American with a World Cup brace since 1930, as the USMNT set a team record with four goals in a World Cup match. The dominant victory puts the co-hosts in a strong position to advance from Group D, though star Christian Pulisic left at halftime with a minor calf injury.
USMNT 4-1 Paraguay victory
- ▪Gio Reyna scored the fourth U.S. goal with a strike from the edge of the box in second-half stoppage time
- ▪The United States men's national team defeated Paraguay 4-1 in its opening match of the 2026 World Cup on June 12, 2026
- ▪The match was the first men's World Cup game held on U.S. soil in 32 years
- ▪The victory marked the first time the U.S. men's team has ever scored four goals in a World Cup match
- ▪Paraguay's lone goal was scored by substitute Maurício in the 73rd minute
- ▪The U.S. scored its first goal in the 7th minute, an own goal by Paraguayan defender Damián Bobadilla
Folarin Balogun two goals
- ▪Born in New York to Nigerian parents and raised in London, Balogun chose to represent the U.S. in 2023
- ▪Folarin Balogun became the first U.S. player to score multiple goals in a World Cup game since the 1930 tournament
- ▪Striker Folarin Balogun scored two goals for the United States in the first half
- ▪Balogun scored his second goal in first-half stoppage time after receiving a pass from Malik Tillman
- ▪Balogun's first goal came in the 31st minute from a cross by Christian Pulisic
World Cup knockout stage prospects
- ▪The 2026 World Cup was expanded to 48 teams, making it easier for teams to emerge from the group stage
- ▪The win puts the U.S. in a favorable position to advance from Group D to the knockout stage
- ▪In the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the U.S. scored only three goals in total across the four games it played
Australia Turkey upcoming opponents
- ▪The U.S. will conclude the group stage with a match against Turkey on June 25 in Los Angeles
- ▪The U.S. is in Group D along with Australia and Turkey
- ▪The next match for the U.S. is against Australia on June 19 in Seattle
Pochettino roster decisions
- ▪Coach Mauricio Pochettino stated he believes Christian Pulisic will be available for the next U.S. match
- ▪Midfielder Tyler Adams received a yellow card, putting him at risk of a one-game suspension if he receives another
- ▪Christian Pulisic was substituted at halftime as a precaution due to tightness in his calf
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