The United States national team made a strong start at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, routing Paraguay 4-1 at Los Angeles stadium, as the hosts announced their arrival in the tournament with an ideal opening performance.
The Americans opened the scoring early in the 7th minute when Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla accidentally put the ball into his own net while attempting to clear it inside the penalty area, making it the first own goal of the current World Cup edition.
Folarin Balogun added the second and third goals for the United States in the 31st and 45th-plus minutes, capitalising on two opportunities inside the penalty area, as the 24-year-old became the first player to score a brace at the 2026 World Cup.
Paraguay pulled one back in the second half, before Giovanni Reyna sealed the hosts' victory by scoring the fourth goal in stoppage time, confirming the emphatic win for the American side.
The United States claimed their first 3 points in Group D after putting on a commanding display in front of their home crowd, sending an early message to the rest of the competitors in the largest edition in World Cup history.