The United States made history with a commanding 4-1 win over Paraguay in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener, held in Southern California. This victory marked the first time the U.S. scored at least four goals in a World Cup match. It was also the first occasion since 1930 that the U.S. secured a World Cup win by three goals over Paraguay.
Folarin Balogun, aged 24, stood out by scoring twice. He became the first American player since 1930 to achieve multiple goals in a World Cup game. Fans watched the dramatic performance unfold at the packed SoFi Stadium. The U.S. team surged to a 3-0 lead, with its first goal coming within seven minutes of the match’s start.
Even as Paraguay scored a goal in the 73rd minute, reducing the lead to 3-1, the American team continued its offensive push. Finally, in the closing seconds, 23-year-old Gio Reyna delivered the decisive fourth goal, securing three points in World Cup standings for the U.S.
The scoring spree began with Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla inadvertently netting an own goal in the sixth minute, giving the United States an early advantage. Folarin Balogun’s first World Cup goal extended that lead in the 30th minute. The U.S. has only reached a two-goal lead faster in 1930 against Paraguay and in 2002 against Portugal.
Just before the halftime whistle, Balogun scored his second goal, receiving an excellent pass from teammate Malik Tillman. He expertly curled the ball into the top-left corner, further exciting the crowd. Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents and raised in London, Balogun trained at Arsenal’s youth academy. He chose to play for the U.S. after experiencing strong support from American fans in 2023.
This impressive start to the World Cup heralds the first time in thirty years that the tournament is on American soil. The U.S. team, with stars like Balogun and Pulisic, hopes to build on this success.
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter at Fox News Digital, providing insights into the intersection of sports, politics, and culture.
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