USA 4–1 Paraguay: World Cup 2026 Result — June 12, 2026
USA delivered a record-breaking World Cup opening win at SoFi Stadium on June 12, 2026, defeating Paraguay 4-1. Damián Bobadilla scored an own goal in the 7th minute, Folarin Balogun scored twice in the first half (31', 45+5'), and Gio Reyna sealed it in the 90+8th minute. Christian Pulisic was subbed at half-time as a precaution after being kicked.
FIFA World Cup 2026 — Group C · June 12, 2026
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California · 9PM ET · Att: ~70,000
USA Goals
Bobadilla OG 7'
Balogun 31'
Balogun 45+5'
Reyna 90+8'
Paraguay Goal
Mauricio 73'
Match Stats — USA vs Paraguay
| Stat | 🇺🇸 USA | 🇵🇾 Paraguay |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 59% | 41% |
| Total Shots | 16 | 9 |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 1 |
| Goals | 4 | 1 |
| Pass Accuracy | 84% | 72% |
How Did USA Beat Paraguay 4-1? — Goal Timeline
USA set the tone immediately at SoFi Stadium. Christian Pulisic drove at Paraguay's defence in just the 7th minute, threading a pass into the penalty area that forced Damián Bobadilla into an own goal as he attempted to clear. It was the perfect platform for Mauricio Pochettino's side on home soil.
🇺🇸 Bobadilla OG
Pulisic drives into box, forces Bobadilla clearance into own net. USA 1-0.
🇺🇸 Folarin Balogun
Cross from left finds Balogun unmarked inside the box. Clinical finish. USA 2-0.
🇺🇸 Folarin Balogun
Balogun completes his brace just before half-time with a strike to the upper corner. USA 3-0.
🇵🇾 Mauricio
Paraguay pull one back — consolation goal keeps their goal difference alive. USA 3-1.
🇺🇸 Gio Reyna
Reyna fires home from the edge of the box in deep injury time. USA 4-1. Record win.
The USA's 4-goal haul is the most they have ever scored in a single World Cup match. Previously their record was 3 goals, set multiple times going back to 1930. The 4-1 margin is equally impressive: only England, Brazil, and Germany had scored four or more in World Cup opening games since 2000.
Player Ratings — USA vs Paraguay (June 12, 2026)
Folarin Balogun was the standout performer with two well-taken goals. Christian Pulisic created the first goal with a characteristically direct run before being withdrawn at half-time as a precaution after taking a knock. Weston McKennie controlled the midfield. Gio Reyna put a difficult 2022 World Cup exclusion behind him with a composed late finish.
| Player | Position | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Folarin Balogun | ST | 9/10 |
| Christian Pulisic | AM | 8/10 |
| Gio Reyna | MF | 8/10 |
| Weston McKennie | CM | 7/10 |
| Turner (GK) | GK | 7/10 |
What This Means for La Liga Stars at World Cup 2026
While Balogun and Reyna are not currently at La Liga clubs, the win set the stage for a World Cup where La Liga players will dominate the headlines. Spain — whose 26-man squad contains 17 La Liga players including 8 from FC Barcelona — open their campaign on June 15 against Cape Verde.
Lamine Yamal, who finished the 2025-26 La Liga season with 16 goals and 11 assists as Barcelona won the title, enters the tournament as one of the most watched teenagers in World Cup history. His duel with Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) and Ferran Torres (Barcelona, 16 La Liga goals) will define Group E. See all La Liga players at World Cup 2026 →
USA's dominating performance also raises the pressure on Group C rivals ahead of their upcoming fixtures. View the full World Cup 2026 group standings →
Group C Standings After USA vs Paraguay
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇺🇸 USA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 2 | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 3 | 🇵🇾 Paraguay | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -3 | 0 |
* Standings after June 12 matches only. Full group standings update after all Matchday 1 fixtures. USA next face their second group game while Paraguay must regroup quickly. USA need 4-5 points from their remaining 2 group games to guarantee qualification as Group C winners.
Watch More World Cup 2026 Matches
Frequently Asked Questions — USA vs Paraguay World Cup 2026
What was the final score of USA vs Paraguay at World Cup 2026?
The final score was USA 4-1 Paraguay. The United States scored through an own goal by Damián Bobadilla (7th minute), two goals from Folarin Balogun (31st and 45+5 minutes), and a late strike from Gio Reyna (90+8 minutes). Paraguay's only goal came from Mauricio in the 73rd minute.
Who scored for USA against Paraguay in the World Cup 2026?
USA's goals came from: Damián Bobadilla OG (7'), Folarin Balogun (31'), Folarin Balogun (45+5'), and Gio Reyna (90+8'). Balogun's brace was the first by a US player at the World Cup since the inaugural 1930 tournament — a 96-year gap. Reyna's late goal sealed a record win for USMNT.
Was Pulisic injured during USA vs Paraguay at World Cup 2026?
Christian Pulisic was substituted at half-time as a precaution after being kicked during the first half. He set up the opening own goal with a driving run and pass. USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed after the match that the substitution was preventative and Pulisic is expected to be available for the next group game.
Is USA 4-1 Paraguay a record win for the US at the World Cup?
Yes. USA's 4-1 win over Paraguay is the most goals the US men's national team has ever scored in a single World Cup match. They had previously never scored more than three goals in a single World Cup game. Balogun's brace was also the first World Cup brace by a US player since 1930.
Where was the USA vs Paraguay World Cup 2026 match played?
The match was played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California (Los Angeles area) on June 12, 2026, kicking off at 9PM ET. SoFi Stadium has a capacity of approximately 70,000 and is home to the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. It hosted the Super Bowl in 2022.
Who is Folarin Balogun and why does he play for USA?
Folarin Balogun (born 3 January 2001 in New York, USA) is a striker who came through Arsenal's academy. Although he initially represented England at youth level, he switched international allegiance to the United States in 2023, where he was born. In the 2025-26 season he spent time at Monaco before signing for a Bundesliga club. His two goals against Paraguay were his first at a senior World Cup.
What does USA 4-1 Paraguay mean for Group C standings?
USA top Group C with 3 points and a +3 goal difference after their opening win. Paraguay sit bottom on 0 points. The other Group C match results will determine the full standings table. USA next face their second group game, while Paraguay must bounce back to stay alive in the tournament.
Who is managing the USA at World Cup 2026?
Mauricio Pochettino is the head coach of the US men's national team at World Cup 2026. The Argentine manager, formerly of PSG, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea, was appointed in September 2023. His highest-profile club signings include major tactical overhauls based on pressing and positional flexibility. The 4-1 win over Paraguay was his biggest result at international level.
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Sources: NBC News, CBS Sports, NPR, Al Jazeera, FIFA Official Match Report, Sky Sports, Yahoo Sports. Statistics from FIFA official data.
All prices and match facts accurate as of June 13, 2026. Standings may be updated as Group C fixtures complete.