USA dominates opening ceremony match with 4-1 victory over Paraguay
USA opens 2026 World Cup with 4-1 Paraguay victory in Los Angeles opening ceremony match.
Event / Sports
2026 FIFA World Cup
2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by USA with various incidents and developments including team restrictions and disputes
8 reported locations
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 13 Jun, 06:06 UTC
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What happened
FIFA defends attendance figures for Guadalajara World Cup match
FIFA responded to criticism about low stadium occupancy at the South Korea vs. Czech Republic match in Guadalajara, stating that attendance figures were accurate. The organization explained that photographs showing empty seats were taken when spectators were in concourse areas rather than seated during the match.
Decomposed body discovered near Tijuana stadium where Iran team trains
A decomposed body was found in a parked car in front of Tijuana stadium where the Iran national team was training. The Iranian team was evacuated following the discovery. The team's coaching staff had already been provided enhanced security for all movements.
USA defeats Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup match at Los Angeles opening ceremony
The United States defeated Paraguay 4-1 in a World Cup match in Los Angeles. The match followed the third and final opening ceremony, featuring performances by artists including Future, Katy Perry, Tyla, and Lisa. The US team dominated with Pulisic and Balogun scoring multiple goals.
Canada draws 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup match
Canada drew 1-1 against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday in Toronto during the 2026 World Cup. Bosnia's Jovo Lukic scored first in the 21st minute, and Canada equalized through Cyle Larin in the 78th minute. This marked Canada's first points in World Cup competition, ending a streak of six consecutive defeats.
Kolasinac receives first-ever time-wasting sanction on throw-in
Bosnian player Kolasinac received the first-ever referee sanction for time-wasting on a throw-in during the Canada vs. Bosnia match, marking a new enforcement of World Cup regulations.
England's training equipment stolen during transport to Kansas City
England's national team had all their training equipment stolen during transport from their preparation base in Florida to Kansas City. The stolen items included boots, training equipment, and other gear. Only one ball remained with the coaching staff according to British media reports.
United States scores three goals in first half of World Cup match
The United States scored three goals in the first half of its match against Paraguay, achieving a 3-0 halftime lead. This was the team's largest first-half goal total in World Cup history and the largest goal total in any World Cup match before halftime. The three first-half goals included an own goal by Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla in the seventh minute and two goals by Balogun in the 31st minute and fifth minute of stoppage time.
Christian Pulisic creates two goals before halftime substitution
Christian Pulisic, an AC Milan player, provided assists for the first two U.S. goals in the match against Paraguay. He created an own goal in the seventh minute by splitting two defenders and passing to Weston McKennie, and assisted on Balogun's first goal in the 31st minute. Pulisic was substituted out at halftime after suffering a kick to the back of his left calf.
United States scores four goals in World Cup match for first time
The U.S. national team scored four goals in a World Cup match for the first time in its history. Gio Reyna scored the fourth goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time. The U.S. had previously scored only three goals combined across all four matches at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Folarin Balogun scores twice in U.S. World Cup debut
Folarin Balogun, a 24-year-old striker for Monaco, scored two goals in the first half of the U.S.-Paraguay World Cup match. This was Balogun's World Cup debut and made him the first U.S. player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since Bert Patenaude in 1930. Balogun, born in New York to Nigerian parents, chose to represent the United States three years prior instead of pursuing the English national team.
Paraguay appears in World Cup for first time in 16 years
Paraguay competed in a World Cup match for the first time since 2010. The team's return to the tournament came in the expanded 48-team format. Paraguay was making its first World Cup appearance in 16 years and scored one goal through Maurício in the 73rd minute.
United States defeats Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup Group D opener
The United States men's national soccer team defeated Paraguay 4-1 in a FIFA World Cup Group D match on June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. This was the U.S.'s first home World Cup match in 32 years. The match was played in front of a sellout crowd of 70,492 fans.
Mauricio Pochettino coaches U.S. in new creative system
Mauricio Pochettino served as the coach of the U.S. men's national soccer team in the World Cup match against Paraguay. Under Pochettino's new tactical system emphasizing creative play, the U.S. team displayed significantly improved attacking performance compared to previous tournaments.
U.S. men's national team plays Paraguay in World Cup group stage match
The U.S. men's national team competed against Paraguay in a World Cup group stage match in southern California. This was the first men's World Cup game on U.S. soil in more than 30 years, allowing U.S. players to compete in front of a home crowd.
Massachusetts Governor declares 'Frantzdy Pierrot Day' to honor soccer player
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declared May 26 as 'Frantzdy Pierrot Day' in the state to honor the achievements of the professional soccer player who played at Melrose High School before becoming an international athlete.
Haiti national football team player Frantzdy Pierrot makes World Cup debut
Frantzdy Pierrot, a 31-year-old professional soccer player, made his World Cup debut playing for the Haiti national football team against Scotland in a group stage match at Boston Stadium.
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2 alternative perspectives
England's World Cup equipment stolen during Kansas City transport
England's training equipment stolen during transport to Kansas City for World Cup competition.
Canada holds Bosnia in World Cup opener as Kolasinac receives unusual sanction
Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina; Kolasinac received historic time-wasting sanction.
Paraguay returns to World Cup stage after 16-year absence
Paraguay returns to the World Cup after 16 years away, making its 2026 tournament debut.
U.S. dominates World Cup debut with four-goal rout of Paraguay
U.S. defeats Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup debut, scoring four goals for the first time in tournament history.
World Cup debuts arrive as teams take opening group stage matches
World Cup group stage debuts highlighted as players and teams begin tournament competition.