Balogun brace powers USA past Paraguay in World Cup opener
Folarin Balogun’s international debut brace highlights US dominance in Group D opener, while Arsenal monitor potential sell-on clause returns.
The United States Men’s National Team opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday. The match, which marked the first World Cup fixture hosted on US soil since 1994, saw former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun score a brace on his international debut to establish a decisive 3-0 half-time lead.
Balogun’s performance was the standout feature of the opening group stage match. After having a goal disallowed for offside in the 28th minute, he pounced on a low, deflected cross three minutes later to fire home a first-time finish. He extended the lead later in the half with a curling finish, bringing his international tally to three goals in five appearances for the USA in 2026.
The final scoreline was bolstered by an own goal from Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla and a stoppage-time strike from Gio Reyna. Paraguay managed a consolation goal through Mauricio, but the result secured a comfortable start for the hosts in Group D. The match attracted 70,492 spectators, including high-profile attendees such as Tom Cruise and Leonardo DiCaprio.
US captain Christian Pulisic withdrew at half-time due to an injury, a blow for the squad as they look to maintain momentum. The officiating also drew attention for a historic Video Assistant Referee intervention involving a 'mistaken identity' ruling, a procedural anomaly that confused some spectators but upheld FIFA’s integrity standards.
From a commercial perspective, Balogun’s form is significant for Arsenal. The club sold the striker to AS Monaco in August 2023 for approximately £35 million, with roughly £26 million guaranteed and the remainder in potential add-ons. Arsenal retains a 17.5% sell-on clause on the transaction.
Balogun’s current form contrasts with a somewhat underwhelming first campaign at Monaco, where he scored eight goals in the 2023/24 season, and an injury-hit 2024/25 season that halved his tally. However, he has found his stride in the second half of the current campaign, scoring 12 goals and providing three assists in 24 matches for Monaco since the start of 2026.
Monaco’s recent European campaign has been mixed. Despite Balogun scoring both goals in a 2-0 first-leg Champions League victory over PSG, the French club ultimately lost the tie. They finished seventh in Ligue 1, narrowly securing a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifiers after being in contention for a higher finish in April.
If Balogun continues to impress on the World Cup stage, interest from potential buyers is expected to rise. Arsenal will be monitoring the situation closely, given their financial interest in any future transfer involving the striker.
