USMNT secure historic 4-1 victory over Paraguay in World Cup opener
Folarin Balogun scores twice as United States defeat Paraguay, though attendance figures and security protocols draw scrutiny.
The United States men’s national team commenced their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a decisive 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles, on 13 June 2026. The result marks the first time the USMNT has scored four goals in a single World Cup fixture and equals their largest winning margin in the tournament, a record previously established in 1930. The win places the hosts in a favourable position in Group D.
The match was defined by a historic Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention involving a 'mistaken identity' ruling, a procedural anomaly that confused spectators but upheld the integrity of the officiating standards set by FIFA. On the pitch, the US took a commanding 3-0 lead before the interval. Damian Bobadilla scored an own goal, followed by two strikes from Folarin Balogun, who became only the second US player to score more than once in a single World Cup match. Paraguay reduced the deficit in the 70th minute through Mauricio, but substitute Giovanni Reyna sealed the victory with a late 20-yard curling shot.
A significant law enforcement presence was deployed to secure the event, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and Inglewood Police. Many agents were accompanied by police dogs, reflecting the heightened security posture for the tournament.
While a stadium announcer declared a "full house" with over 70,000 attendees, visual evidence suggested many seats, particularly in expensive sections, remained empty. Reports indicate that while organisers may have sold all tickets, resellers struggled to offload some, potentially due to high prices and concerns over travel policies. The discrepancy between the official count and visual attendance highlighted logistical challenges in the final hours before kickoff.
Celebrity attendees included Tom Cruise, David Beckham, and Leonardo DiCaprio, who drew cheers from the crowd. In contrast, reports that President Donald Trump would attend the match did not materialise, which was reportedly met with relief by many fans in the predominantly liberal city. US captain Christian Pulisic withdrew at half-time due to injury, but the team maintained their lead to secure the historic opening win.
