FIFA World Cup 2026: Trump’s USA hammer Paraguay 4–1

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA, June 13, 2026 — Folarin Balogun struck twice as the United States launched their first home FIFA World Cup campaign in 32 years with a commanding 4–1 victory over Paraguay on Friday night — their biggest win in tournament history.

The Americans produced a scintillating first-half display, racing into a three-goal lead before the break and thrilling a crowd of 70,492 at SoFi Stadium.

Christian Pulisic orchestrated much of the attacking play, providing an assist and driving the hosts forward with a series of dangerous runs down the left flank. The three-goal advantage at half-time marked the largest lead the United States had ever held in a World Cup match.

Gio Reyna added a fourth deep into stoppage time to cap a memorable evening and secure the first occasion on which the United States had scored four goals in a World Cup fixture.

The performance marked a dramatic transformation from the side that managed only three goals across four matches at the World Cup in Qatar four years ago. Under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the Americans appeared more expansive and inventive in attack.

Pulisic was substituted at half-time as a precaution after receiving a knock to the back of his left calf.

“Staying positive,” Pulisic said. “I don’t think it’s anything.”

Paraguay pulled one back through Maurício in the second half, but La Albirroja had left themselves with too much to do in their first World Cup appearance in 16 years.

The United States took an early lead through an own goal forced by Pulisic’s incisive play. In the seventh minute, the AC Milan forward burst between two defenders before squaring for Weston McKennie, whose delivery was diverted into the net by Paraguay midfielder Damián Bobadilla.

Balogun doubled the advantage in the 31st minute after another flowing move initiated by Pulisic. Three minutes earlier, the striker had seen a goal ruled out for offside, but he made no mistake when a deflected pass fell kindly into his path.

The forward struck again in first-half stoppage time after latching onto a precise ball from Malik Tillman, creating space and curling an excellent finish into the far top corner.

Born in New York and raised in London, Balogun marked his World Cup debut in style with the first multi-goal performance by a United States player at the tournament since 1930. The 24-year-old Monaco striker, who committed his international future to the United States three years ago, has quickly emerged as the prolific centre-forward the team had long lacked.

Although the hosts lost some fluency after Pulisic’s withdrawal, Reyna completed the scoring late on with a composed finish inside the area for his first World Cup goal.

The moment carried extra significance for Reyna, whose involvement at the World Cup in Qatar was limited amid tensions surrounding former US coach Gregg Berhalter.

A host of American celebrities attended the match just south of Hollywood, including Tom Cruise, George Lucas, Bill Gates, Halle Berry, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

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