The United States enjoyed a perfect start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, defeating Paraguay 4-1 in front of a packed crowd of 70,492 fans at Los Angeles. Co-hosts USA dominated from the opening whistle, with an early own goal setting the tone before a brilliant brace from Folarin Balogun and a stunning late strike from Gio Reyna sealed an emphatic victory.
The match attracted several Hollywood stars, including Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Paris Hilton, as the hosts showcased their attacking strength and took a major step toward qualifying from Group D, which also includes Australia and Turkey.
Balogun and Reyna Shine for the Hosts
The USA took the lead in the seventh minute when a dangerous attack resulted in Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla scoring an own goal. Balogun then added two goals before halftime, helping the Americans establish a commanding 3-0 advantage.
Match Highlights:
- USA defeated Paraguay 4-1 in their opening World Cup match.
- Folarin Balogun scored twice for the hosts.
- Gio Reyna netted a spectacular late goal.
- USA enjoyed 75% possession during the first half.
- Christian Pulisic provided a key assist before being substituted at halftime.
Paraguay Pull One Back
After the break, Paraguay showed more attacking intent and reduced the deficit through substitute Mauricio following good work from Julio Enciso. However, any hopes of a comeback were ended when Reyna curled a superb effort into the far corner during stoppage time.
Star-Studded Opening Ceremony
The match was preceded by a spectacular opening ceremony featuring performances from Katy Perry, Future, Tyla, Anitta, and K-pop star Lisa.
Opening Ceremony Highlights:
- Giant World Cup trophy display at the stadium.
- Fireworks and entertainment ahead of kickoff.
- Celebrity-packed crowd in Los Angeles.
- Tournament officially launched on US soil.
The convincing win places the USA in a strong position as they look to advance deep into the tournament and potentially reach their first World Cup quarter-final since 2002.
Read how the USA delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their FIFA World Cup 2026 opener. To get the latest news subscribe to Sports Monks!