LIVE UPDATES: U.S. Men's National Team Dominates Paraguay 4-1 in FIFA World Cup 2026 Opener | OneFootball

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Men’s National Team enjoyed an electric start to the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating Paraguay 4-1 in its Group D opener at Los Angeles Stadium. The USMNT raced out to a 3-0 first-half lead—the first time the United States have enjoyed a halftime lead of three scores—thanks to a Paraguay own goal and a quick Folarin Balogun brace. Balogun’s brace represents his first FIFA World Cup goal, and he joins Bert Patenaude (1930 FIFA World Cup) as the only other USMNT player to score multiple goals in a single World Cup match.

Gio Reyna cleaned things up with his first World Cup goal eight minutes into second-half stoppage time. The win for the United States—its highest-scoring World Cup match—positions it atop the Group D standings. Next up, the USMNT will travel to Seattle Stadium to face Australia on Friday, June 19 at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.

Live updates from today’s match are below.

FT - United States 4, Paraguay 1

What a way to open the FIFA World Cup! The USMNT defeats Paraguay with a dominant showing at Los Angeles Stadium.

90+8’ - GIO GOLAZO!

Gio Reyna bags his first World Cup goal through a slick trivela finish, sealing the United States’ highest-scoring World Cup match. It’s United States 4, Paraguay 1!

90’ - Nearing the conclusion

Seven minutes of stoppage time.

82’ - Reyna enters the fray

Gio Reyna comes on in place of Malik Tillman. It’s the 23-year-old’s third World Cup appearance.

78’ - Full house

Today’s attendance at Los Angeles Stadium is 70,492, and just about every seat is occupied in the ultra-modern stadium here in Inglewood.

73’ - Paraguay pull one back

Julio Enciso finds a streaking Mauricio in the box who slots the ball beyond the outstretched hand of Matt Freese. It’s United States 3, Paraguay 1.

72’ - Weah, Pepi Enter

Pochettino makes two substitutions with less than 20 minutes to go. Sergiño Dest exits for Tim Weah, who makes his fifth World Cup appearance. Folarin Balogun exits for Ricardo Pepi, who is the seventh player to make their World Cup debut for the U.S. tonight.

60’ - Dominant first hour for the United States

The United States have enjoyed a historically dominant first hour of action. Per Opta, the USA's 40 touches in the attacking box are already their most in any FIFA World Cup match since 1966.

Additionally, USA has held 66.7% possession in the first hour of the match. The only FIFA World Cup match since 1966 in which USA held more possession over the course of a full match was against Poland in 2002 (68.3%).

59’ - Slowing things down

The tempo has slowed just a tad, though the USMNT have continued to test the Paraguay defense. Following a one-caution first half, two players have picked up yellow cards in the first 15 minutes of the second half: Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón in the 53rd minute and the United States’ Tyler Adams in the 59th minute.

46’ - Berhalter in, Pulisic out

Pochettino makes one halftime substitution, Sebastian Berhalter enters in place of Christian Pulisic.

Pulisic has three goal contributions in his last three World Cup matches (1 goal, 2 assists). Berhalter joins his father, Gregg, as the second family to have a father and son represent the USMNT in a World Cup.

HT - Welcome back, Chris Richards

The defender completed all 52 of his passes in the first half.

HT - Three up at the half

The United States have three goal in a single FIFA World Cup match for the first time since 2002. Today’s first-half performance matches the USMNT’s record for most goals in a single match in the tournament, period. It’s also the first time the U.S. has held a three-goal half time lead in a World Cup match.

45+5’ - TOP BINS BALO!

Folarin Balogun darts down the pitch, collects himself in the box following an errant Paraguay challenge and absolutely buries the ball top bins. A Goal of the Tournament contender, for sure. It’s United States 3, Paraguay 0.

It’s the first time since Bert Patenaude’s 1930 FIFA World Cup hat trick that a U.S. player has scored multiple goals in a single World Cup match.

44’ - Controlling the tempo

With only minutes remaining before halftime, it has been over 30 minutes since Paraguay last attempted a shot. The United States maintain 72% possession.

37’ - Richards with a chance

Chris Richards nodded the ball towards goal, and was just inches from finding his first FIFA World Cup goal, but the ball trickled just wide.

31’ - BALO GETS HIS GOAL!

Just minutes after he had a goal called back, Folarin Balogun gathers a Christian Pulisic pass in the box, stays onside and smashes it home for his first FIFA World Cup goal. It’s United States 2, Paraguay 0.

Per Opta, Folarin Baolgun has scored his 10th goal for the USA. Four of those goals have been against CONMEBOL opponents, including two against Paraguay.

29’ - A potential USMNT goal is called back for offside

A nifty move from Weston McKennie saw the ball fall to the feet of Folarin Balogun who buried it beyond the Paraguay ‘keeper, though the goal was called back for offside.

25’ - Hydration break

Only one shot on target for either side, though the United States have controlled nearly 75% of the possession. The USMNT has 12 touches in the opponent’s box to Paraguay’s two thus far.

24’ - Aging like fine wine

Captain Tim Ream—who just became the oldest USMNT player to make a FIFA World Cup appearance—has only four fewer passes (30) compared to Paraguay’s entire team (34).

18’ - Constant Pressure

The USMNT has had several chances in the Paraguay box, ultimately thwarted by La Albirroja’s backline. Defender Chris Richards took a knock to the head attempting to head the ball toward goal. He stepped off to the side for treatment before returning to action minutes later.

The United States have had 67% possession over the opening 15 minutes of this game.

7’ - Starting Fast

It’s the third-fastest goal for the USMNT at a World Cup.

According to Opta, USA’s goal at 6:48 is the third fastest a host nation has scored in their first matchat the FIFA World Cup (France 0:35 in 1938, Germany 5:08 in 2006).

7’ - GOAL USA!

Christian Pulisic weaves his way through the Paraguay defense, sending the ball to Weston McKennie in the center of the box who forces the ball off Paraguay defender Damián Bobadilla and into the goal. It’s United States 1, Paraguay 0.

Per Opta, USA has benefited from four own goals in the FIFA World Cup, tied with Germany and Italy for second most in competition history (France - 6).

3’ - Saves on either side of the pitch

Matt Freese slaps away a close-range Paraguay effort for his first World Cup save.

Seconds later, Tim Weah tallies the USMNT’s first shot of the match, forcing Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill to make an early save.

1’ - Kickoff from California

We are underway from Los Angeles Stadium in the USMNT’s 38th all-time FIFA World Cup match!

PRE-GAME - Opta Insights

USA advanced from the group stage all five previous times they avoided defeat in their opening group stage game while they were eliminated in the group stage each of the four times they lost their opener.

This meeting between Argentinian managers Mauricio Pochettino and Gustavo Alfaro is the third time two managers from the same country meet in a FIFA World Cup match that doesn't feature that country (Colombia's Luis Fernando Suárez vs. Reinaldo Rueda in HON v ECU in 2014 and Argentina's Héctor Cúper vs. Juan Antonio Pizzi in EGY v KSA in 2018).

USA has named a player from each of the five major European leagues in a FIFA World Cup starting XI for the first time.

PRE-GAME - Paraguay’s Starting XI

Strasbourg’s Julio Enciso returns to starting lineup following injury scare in Paraguay’s last outing.

PRE-GAME - The USMNT’s Starting XI

Matt Freese in goal, Chris Richards returns, captain Tim Ream becomes the oldest USMNT player to make a FIFA World Cup appearance.

Today’s USMNT Starting XI vs. Paraguay: 24-Matt Freese, 2-Sergiño Dest, 3-Chris Richards 4-Tyler Adams, 5-Antonee Robinson, 8-Weston McKennie, 10-Christian Pulisic, 13-Tim Ream (Capt.), 16-Alex Freeman, 17-Malik Tillman, 20-Folarin Balogun

Substitutes: 1-Matt Turner, 25-Chris Brady, 6-Auston Trusty, 7-Gio Reyna, 9-Ricardo Pepi, 11-Brenden Aaronson, 12-Miles Robinson, 14-Sebastian Berhalter, 15-Cristian Roldan, 18-Max Arfsten, 19-Haji Wright, 21-Tim Weah, 22-Mark McKenzie, 23-Joe Scally, 26-Alex Zendejas

PRE-GAME - Everyone’s Available

All 26 players on the roster for the U.S. Men’s National Team will be available for the team’s group stage opener at FIFA World Cup 2026.

The news comes straight from head coach Mauricio Pochettino, whose pre-match press conference was held at the site of the USA’s first fixture, Los Angeles Stadium.

PRE-GAME - Pochettino’s Plan

Since taking over in September of 2024, Pochettino and the coaching staff have gone deep into the National Team player pool to identify and give opportunities to players seeking a coveted spot on the World Cup roster. In total, 62 players have earned a cap under Pochettino since October 2024. They came from 16 different leagues in 12 different countries. On the scoring front, 22 different players have contributed to the 42 goals scored under Pochettino, with Malik Tillman, Haji Wright and Folarin Balogun each tallying three goals during his tenure.

PRE-GAME - The USMNT’s FIFA World Cup Returnees

Thirteen players – half the roster – were part of the U.S. squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, tying the U.S. mark for the highest number of returnees between consecutive World Cups, first set between the 1994 and 1998 editions. The veterans of the Qatar tournament include all three goalscorers: Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah and Haji Wright.

Eight players on the FIFA World Cup roster started all four matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup: Tyler Adams, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Matt Turner and Tim Weah.

PRE-GAME - USMNT vs. Paraguay History

The USMNT maintains a 5W-2L-2D record against Paraguay in a series dating back to the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930. In the United States’ second group stage match of the tournament, Bert Patenaude made history by scoring the first hat trick at the FIFA World Cup, lifting the USMNT to a 3-0 victory. The pair did not meet again until a scoreless draw in St. Louis, Mo. in 1997, later matching up again in a 2-2 draw in San Diego, Calif. The USA’s first loss against Paraguay came in the form of a 3-1 loss in Venezuela at the 2007 Copa América.

The USA is riding a three-match winning streak against Paraguay, most recently defeating the side in a fiery affair in Chester, Pa. on Nov. 16, 2025. Midfielder Gio Reyna and striker Folarin Balogun – two players on Mauricio Pochettino’s current roster – scored on either side of halftime amid a five-match unbeaten streak for the USMNT against World Cup-bound and top 40-ranked nations.

PRE-GAME - Paraguay Players to Watch

Paraguay is led by a youthful collection of talented midfielders: 22-year-old Julio Enciso of RC Strasbourg Alsace, 23-year-old Diego Gómez of Brighton & Hove Albion FC and 24-year-old Maurício of SE Palmeiras. During the 25/26 club campaign, the trio totaled a combined 26 goals and 12 assists across all competitions.

Four players from Paraguay’s 26-man roster currently play in Major League Soccer (MLS): Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United FC), Andrés Cubas (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Braian Ojeda (Orlando City SC), and Matías Galarza (Atlanta United FC). Cubas currently plays alongside USMNT midfielder Sebastian Berhalter in Vancouver; the pair have shared the pitch 104 times across all competitions for the ‘Caps and won the Canadian Championship on three occasions (2022-24).

PRE-GAME - How to Watch

The match will be broadcast live on FOX with English commentary. Spanish commentary can be found on Telemundo and Peacock starting at 2:30 p.m. ET. Pregame coverage begins at 2 p.m. ET.

Fans can stream USMNT vs. Paraguay on the FOX One app with English commentary and Telemundo and Peacock with Spanish commentary starting at 9 p.m. ET. Pregame coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET. The match will also be available for free on Tubi.

Spanish-language commentary can be found on Fútbol de Primera. Coverage of the United States vs. Paraguay will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET.