Folarin Balogun did something at the 2026 FIFA World Cup that no American had done in nearly a century. The USMNT striker scored multiple goals in his World Cup debut against Paraguay on June 12, helping the United States to a 4-1 victory in front of a sold-out crowd of roughly 70,492 fans at SoFi Stadium.
The last time an American pulled off a multi-goal World Cup performance was 1930, when Bert Patenaude scored a hat trick against the same opponent.
What actually happened on the pitch
Balogun’s goals were the centerpiece of the 4-1 result. For a player who chose to represent the United States over England or Nigeria, the debut amounted to a definitive statement on that decision.
Balogun carried his form into the knockout rounds, adding another goal in the round of 32.
