US secures World Cup opening victory as Balogun marks historic debut
United States defeats Paraguay 4-1 in Inglewood, with Folarin Balogun netting two goals and Christian Pulisic reaching a career milestone.
The United States opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a decisive 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The match, attended by a sold-out crowd of 70,492 spectators, saw 24-year-old striker Folarin Balogun score twice on his international debut, marking a significant moment for the host nation’s football program.
Balogun’s performance made him the first US player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since Bert Patenaude’s historic hat-trick against Paraguay in 1930. The 1930 fixture remains notable as the first hat-trick in World Cup history, establishing a benchmark that Balogun reached after 96 years. The match began with an early advantage for the Americans, as Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla scored an own goal to give the US a 1-0 lead.
Balogun doubled the lead shortly after, capitalising on a precise pass from Christian Pulisic. The assist marked Pulisic’s 21st career international assist, tying him for fourth most in US history. Earlier in the match, Balogun had a potential third goal disallowed for offside, but he remained undeterred, scoring his second goal just before halftime by placing the ball in the upper left corner to make it 3-0.
The victory was witnessed by retired England captain David Beckham, highlighting the global interest in the tournament. Balogun’s path to the US national team was complex; born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, he moved to London as an infant and joined Arsenal’s academy at age eight. He represented England at the youth level before choosing to play for the US under-18 team, a decision that has seen him become a prominent figure in American football as England qualified for the tournament while Nigeria did not.
Despite the on-field success, the broader context of the World Cup in the United States presents challenges. Public awareness for the tournament remains low compared to the concurrent NBA Finals, with polls indicating significant indifference among the general population. High ticket prices have been cited as a barrier to engagement, contrasting with the excitement surrounding local teams like the New York Knicks, who lead the San Antonio Spurs 3-1 in the finals.
