United States kick off home World Cup campaign with 4-1 win over Paraguay

United States fans cheer at the World Cup Group D football match between the US and Paraguay. Credit: AP

The United States have begun their World Cup campaign with a historic 4-1 win against Paraguay.

The US are currently co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Canada and Mexico, having not held the biggest event in football's calendar since 1994. 

Playing on Friday in Los Angeles, the US had built a 3-0 lead by half-time, helped by an early own goal from Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla.

These were followed up by Folarin Balogun scoring twice in the first half. Gio Reyna scored another goal in the final moments of second-half injury time, bringing the total count to four.

Paraguay's Brazil-born midfielder Mauricio pulled one back for the South American country in the 73rd minute.

Gio Reyna scored another goal in the final moments of second-half injury time, bringing the total count to four.

The US managed only three goals combined in their four matches at the Qatar World Cup, and they had never scored more than three in a World Cup match.

Paraguay, the co-host’s first opponent in the group stage, were the lowest-ranked team in Group D and had not played at a World Cup for 16 years.

United States' Folarin Balogun, center, celebrates scoring his side's third goal against Paraguay. Credit: AP

The US have advanced to the knockout round in four of the last six World Cups they have played, but have yet to get past the quarter-finals.

Entering this tournament ranked 17th by FIFA, they hope that matches on their home soil could lead to a World Cup breakthrough.

The Americans were playing under new coach Mauricio Pochettino's more creative system in front of a passionate and star-studded crowd of 70,492 fans.

The US team's home opener was at the sold-out SoFi Stadium, a multi-billion-dollar venue home to the NFL’s LA Rams and LA Chargers.

Fans of the United States dressed up in red, white and blue. Credit: AP

An opening ceremony took place before kick-off as part of a series of three celebrations held across the tournament's host nations.

The US ceremony featured high-energy performances from the likes of pop star Katy Perry and rapper Future.

There was also a celebrity filled audience in attendance, with Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Paris Hilton and David Beckham among the famous faces watching on.

Tom Cruise, David Beckham and Victoria Beckham watch the match together.

Earlier on Friday, co-host Canada drew 1-1 in their World Cup opener against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto.

After a slow start and an early setback for the home team, late substitute Cyle Larin scored in the 78th minute.

The Southampton striker, aged 31, scored after just two minutes on the pitch.

The result earned Canada their first-ever FIFA Men's World Cup point after losing all six of their previous matches, three in their debut campaign in 1986 and three at the 2022 World Cup.

Cyle Larin celebrates after scoring in the second half of the World Cup Group B match between Canada and Bosnia.

The match also marked the first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup match played on Canadian soil.

Canada also had its own opening ceremony, during which Canadian singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette sang the national anthem, and Michael Bublé performed.

On Thursday, Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over South Africa at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium.

This means that all three host nations are off to a fairly strong start, as the tournament continues.

Mexico will next play on 18 June against South Korea in Monterrey, Canada is set to play Qatar in Vancouver on the same day, and the US will take on Australia in Seattle 19 June.

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