United States defeats Paraguay 4-1 in opening match of 2026 World Cup

Jun 13, 2026

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.