By AJ Hammerle
June 13th, 2026
The U.S. Men's National Team started its 2026 FIFA World Cup off with a bang in a dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay.
For the U.S., a game on its home soil is already big enough. This is the second time the World Cup has been hosted in the U.S., the other being in 1994. But even bigger are the expectations, with this being the “golden generation.” The group of men who are good enough to make some noise and implement the U.S. into a soccer force.
Paraguay ranked 41st worldwide by FIFA, and they were looking to spoil the party and become only the second team to defeat a host country in a World Cup opener.
The U.S. started hot, scoring a goal in the seventh minute when Weston McKennie attempted to cross a pass, but the pass was knocked off Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla and rolled into the net, putting the U.S. up 1-0.
In the 28th minute, the U.S. attacked again. This time, a pass from Christian Pulisic hit Folarin Balogun on a cross, and he buried it. After taking an apparent 2-0 advantage, the goal was later called no good as video assistant replay ruled it was offside when receiving the original pass.
The U.S. didn't let this affect them as they kept attacking, and in the 31st minute, Balogun was not denied this time as a beautiful pass off the boot of Pulisic was buried to give the U.S. a 2-0 lead. This was Balogun's first World Cup goal in his first game.
"A real dream, it's a dreamy night," said Balogun. "I've not been able to take it all in. I'm sure when I get back to my hotel, I'm going to be able to be in the moment and experience how much of an amazing night this is."
Paraguay had no answers for the U.S. attack. In first-half stoppage time, Malik Tillman landed a long pass to Balogun. He then took it himself as Balogun put it in the top bin to put the U.S. up 3-0 right before the half. This was the first U.S. men's national player to score two goals in a World Cup game since the inaugural tournament in 1930.
The U.S. made some changes to start the second half, bringing in Sebastian Berhalter for Pulisic. At the same time,, Paraguay brought in Mauricio for Damián Bobadilla.
Paraguay's adjustments helped them compete a lot better in the second half, not allowing the U.S. to attack them as much.
In the 73rd minute, Paraguay's sub paid off as Mauricio buried a goal to help cut into the lead, giving Paraguay a much-needed boost and helping them play a lot more freely.
The U.S. and Paraguay made a handful of subs in the remaining minutes of the match. The U.S. subbed in Giovanni Reyna and Tim Weah. While Paraguay substituted Ramón Sosa, Alejandro Romero Gamarra, and Gustavo Velázquez.
The U.S. then put on a show, putting together a 26-pass possession in stoppage time. Topped off by a wonderful goal by Reyna, putting an exclamation point on a dominant U.S. victory.
“This might be one of the best back-to-front team goals this country and this team has ever put together,” said Fox TV analyst Stu Holden.
This four-goal performance already surpasses the number of goals (3) they had all last World Cup.
The next task for the U.S. is against Australia on Friday at 6 p.m. in Seattle, Washington.