The US men’s national team opened the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a statement. A 4-1 demolition of Paraguay in front of 70,492 fans in the Los Angeles area was about as emphatic an introduction as any host nation could ask for.
It was the first World Cup match played on US soil since 1994.
Balogun steals the show
Paraguayan defender Damián Bobadilla gifted the hosts an own goal in the 7th minute. Folarin Balogun then took over, scoring twice in the first half to put the match effectively out of reach before the break.
Gio Reyna added a late goal to round out the scoring at 4-1. Paraguay managed to get on the board, but the consolation goal did little to mask what was a thoroughly one-sided contest.
