LOS ANGELES, June 12, 2026. The United States opened its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a 4-1 win over Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday night. Folarin Balogun scored twice in the first half, and a late goal from substitute Giovanni Reyna sealed the result in front of a sold-out crowd of 70,000.
The win marks the U.S. men’s biggest-ever margin in a World Cup match. It was also the first World Cup game played on U.S. soil in more than three decades.
How the Goals Happened
- Paraguay fell behind early. In the 7th minute, defender Damián Bobadilla turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Christian Pulisic, giving the USA a 1-0 lead.
- Balogun then took over. He doubled the lead in the 31st minute with an assist from Pulisic, then struck again in the 5th minute of first-half stoppage time after an assist from Tyler Adams, making it 3-0 at the break.
- Paraguay pulled one back in the 73rd minute when substitute Mauricio finished off a long clearance that was nodded into his path by Julio Enciso.
- The USA had the final word. In the 8th minute of second-half stoppage time, Reyna scored from an assist by Alex Freeman to make it 4-1.
Final Score: USA 4 — 1 Paraguay
| Goal | Minute | Scorer | Assist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-0 | 7′ | Bobadilla (own goal) | — |
| 2-0 | 31′ | Folarin Balogun | Christian Pulisic |
| 3-0 | 45+5′ | Folarin Balogun | Tyler Adams |
| 3-1 | 73′ | Mauricio | Julio Enciso |
| 4-1 | 90+8′ | Giovanni Reyna | Alex Freeman |
Why This Result Matters
Balogun became the first American player to score two goals in a World Cup game since the tournament’s inaugural edition in 1930. The 4-1 scoreline also set a new record, as the U.S. men’s team had never previously scored more than three goals in a single World Cup match.
The result carries extra weight given the player’s background. Balogun was born in New York City to Nigerian parents and raised in London. He was eligible to play for the United States, England, or Nigeria, but chose to represent the U.S. national team in 2023.
Speaking after the match, Balogun’s family was watching from the stands, and he described the win as a statement.
Pulisic’s Role and Early Exit
Christian Pulisic was central to the USA’s early dominance, forcing the own goal that opened the scoring before he was substituted at halftime as a precautionary measure.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino addressed the performance directly. He said the first 45 minutes were amazing and that it is difficult to find a team that plays at that level.
A Historic Father-Son Moment
When Pulisic was substituted off, Sebastian Berhalter came on in his place. This made Sebastian and his father Gregg Berhalter the 24th father-son duo in World Cup history, and the second for the United States after Claudio and Gio Reyna.
Reyna himself added to that family history with the match-sealing goal in stoppage time.
What This Means for Group D
The USA’s opening win puts them in a strong position at the top of Group D. A dominant performance against Paraguay, who entered the tournament as a tougher South American side, sends an early signal about the host nation’s ambitions this summer.
Friday’s result marked the beginning of the United States’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, hosted on home soil for the first time since 1994.
The next assignment for Pochettino’s side will determine whether this performance was a one-off statement or the start of a deeper run in the tournament.
For ticket information and how to attend upcoming matches, check our complete FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets guide.
FAQ — USA vs Paraguay World Cup 2026
What was the final score of USA vs Paraguay at the 2026 World Cup?
The United States won 4-1 against Paraguay in their opening Group D match on June 12, 2026, at Los Angeles Stadium.
Who scored for the USA against Paraguay?
Folarin Balogun scored twice, in the 31st and 45+5th minutes. Giovanni Reyna added a fourth goal in the 90+8th minute. Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla also scored an own goal in the 7th minute.
Is this the USA’s biggest-ever World Cup win?
Yes. The 4-1 result is the largest margin of victory in U.S. men’s World Cup history, and the first time the team has scored four goals in a single World Cup match.
Why was Christian Pulisic substituted at halftime?
Pulisic was withdrawn at halftime as a precautionary measure after being involved in a first-half collision, despite playing a key role in the USA’s early goals.
Where was the USA vs Paraguay match played?
The match was played at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) in Inglewood, California, in front of a sold-out crowd of approximately 70,000 fans.
Times Square News will continue covering FIFA World Cup 2026 with daily match reports and analysis throughout the tournament.
