USMNT secure 4-1 victory over Paraguay in World Cup opener
The United States Men’s National Team defeated Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, marking the first World Cup match hosted in the US since 1994, despite the half-time withdrawal of captain Christian Pulisic.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup commenced its North American phase with a high-profile opening ceremony at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, followed by the United States Men’s National Team’s (USMNT) 4-1 victory over Paraguay. The event, held before a crowd of 70,492, marked the first World Cup match hosted on US soil since 1994. The tournament opener followed earlier fixtures by co-hosts Mexico and Canada, who played their opening matches in their respective countries.
The pre-match ceremony featured performances by Katy Perry, Future, Tyla, Anitta, and Lisa, alongside celebrity attendees including Tom Cruise, David Beckham, and Halle Berry. The stadium, temporarily renamed the Los Angeles Stadium for the occasion, displayed suspended gold "FIFA" letters from its roof, a colour choice noted for its association with US President Donald Trump. President Trump did not attend the event but offered congratulations via telephone, stating he believed the team had a "really good chance of going all the way."
On the pitch, the USMNT faced Paraguay in Group D. US centre-back Chris Richards was named in the starting eleven despite prior injury doubts, while Paraguay winger Julio Enciso also began the match. The atmosphere was charged, with many US fans dressed as Uncle Sam, the Statue of Liberty, or bald eagles booing the Paraguay players during warm-ups. However, South American support was also visible, with dozens of Paraguay flags present among the crowd.
The match saw significant officiating developments early in the second half when referee Danny Makkelie issued a yellow card to US defender Tim Ream for a tackle on Miguel Almirón. The decision was overturned following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, marking the tournament’s first significant VAR intervention. The US side also faced a setback at half-time when captain Christian Pulisic withdrew from the match due to injury.
The victory serves as a strong start for the co-hosts, who are looking to build momentum in the tournament. Mexico opened the World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa, while Canada secured their first-ever World Cup finals point with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The USMNT’s win in Los Angeles sets the stage for the remainder of the group stage as the tournament continues across the three North American nations.
