USMNT opens World Cup campaign with 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles
The United States men’s national team began their 2026 FIFA World Cup bid with a commanding performance, defeating Paraguay 4-1 in front of 70,492 spectators in Inglewood.
The United States men’s national team secured a decisive 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their Group D opener at SoFi Stadium on Friday, marking the first World Cup fixture hosted on US soil since 1994. The match, attended by 70,492 spectators, served as the focal point of the FIFA Fan Fest in Los Angeles, where thousands of fans gathered to witness the USMNT’s inaugural tournament game.
The contest began with immediate pressure from the hosts, with Paraguay defender Damian Bobadilla scoring an own goal in the seventh minute following a sequence involving Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic. Folarin Balogun, making his international debut, doubled the lead in the 31st minute by capitalising on a deflection from Pulisic’s cross. Balogun added a second goal just before half-time, curling a shot into the top corner after evading a challenge from Gustavo Gomez, putting the United States in control with a 3-0 advantage.
US captain Christian Pulisic was substituted at half-time due to injury, but the momentum remained with the hosts. Paraguay pulled one back in the 73rd minute through Mauricio, offering a brief moment of tension. However, substitute Gio Reyna sealed the victory in stoppage time, scoring with the outside of his right foot past the goalkeeper at the far post to complete the 4-1 scoreline.
The result followed a 1-1 draw between co-hosts Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier in the day, which was broadcast to attendees at the Fan Fest. The USMNT’s performance, characterised by 75 percent possession in the first half, provided a stark contrast to the measured excitement of the earlier window, transforming the atmosphere at the Coliseum into a unified display of national support.
Entertainment for the Fan Fest included performances by DJ Steve Aoki and other artists, who helped build the energy leading up to the kickoff. The victory not only provided a strong start for the USMNT but also delivered on the festival’s objective of creating a vibrant, communal experience for fans in Los Angeles.
