The United States men’s national soccer team defeated Paraguay 4-1 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D opener on Friday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The victory places the U.S. At the top of the group, which also includes Australia and Turkey. The match was the first World Cup game held on U.S. Soil in more than three decades. The U.S. Established an early lead when a pass from Weston McKennie deflected off Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla for an own goal in the seventh minute. Striker Folarin Balogun then scored twice in the first half: first in the 31st minute following a cross from Christian Pulisic, and again in the first-half stoppage time. According to AP News, Balogun’s brace is the first by a U.S. Player in a World Cup since 1930. The U.S. Reached a 3-0 lead during this period, which AP News noted as the team’s largest lead in any World Cup game. Paraguay midfielder Mauricio scored their only goal in the 73rd minute. In the second-half stoppage time, a late substitute, Gio Reyna, scored to extend the U.S. Lead to 4-1. This marked the first time the U.S. Has scored four goals in a World Cup match since the inaugural tournament in 1930. The U.S. Team featured several notable personnel moves and appearances. Christian Pulisic was replaced at halftime by Sebastian Berhalter, who became the second son in a father-son pair to represent the U.S. In a World Cup game. Coach Mauricio Pochettino stated Pulisic was substituted for precautionary reasons due to tightness in his calf following a training session injury. The match was attended by 70,492 fans, including several celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Bill Gates, and Leonardo DiCaprio. The U.S. Is scheduled to face Australia next on June 19 in Seattle.