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World Cup 2026 is heating up! The USA sent a message to the tournament with a thumping 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles, while Mexico and Canada also got off the mark in the opening days.
Match Results So Far
| Match | Group | Date | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico vs South Africa | A | June 11 | 2-0 |
| South Korea vs Czechia | A | June 11 | 2-1 |
| Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | B | June 12 | 1-1 |
| USA vs Paraguay | D | June 12 | 4-1 |
USA 4-1 Paraguay — The Game That Announced the Hosts
If there were any doubts about the USA’s ability to handle the pressure of being a co-host, they were emphatically dismissed at Los Angeles Stadium on Friday. In front of a star-studded crowd featuring Tom Cruise and thousands of flag-waving fans — plus a pre-game performance by Katy Perry — Mauricio Pochettino’s side delivered a statement performance.
Key Moments
- 7′ — Own goal by Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla. Christian Pulisic burst through two defenders and fed Weston McKennie, whose cutback was turned into his own net.
- 31′ — Folarin Balogun powered home from Pulisic’s pass to make it 2-0.
- 34′ — Balogun struck again, pouncing on a through ball from Malik Tillman before curling past goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
- 52′ — Paraguay pulled one back through Brazilian-born Mauricio, slipped in by Julio Enciso.
- 90+4′ — Giovanni Reyna curled a stunning 20-yard shot into the top corner with the final kick of the game — the goal of the night.
Balogun became only the second US player to score more than once in a World Cup match — joining Bert Patenaude, who netted the tournament’s first hat-trick in 1930 against… Paraguay. The 4-1 scoreline also matches the USA’s joint-biggest World Cup win.
What It Means
The USA sit top of Group D with 3 points and a +3 goal difference. They face Turkey and Australia in their remaining group matches. Pochettino’s aggressive high-pressing system was on full display — the US dominated possession (71% in the first half) and created chances at will.
USA were unbelievable. You talk about pressure but they grasped at it, they enjoyed it. They probably shocked the world with that performance. — Ellen White, BBC Match of the Day
Pulisic Injury Concern
Christian Pulisic was withdrawn at half-time as a precaution after feeling tightness in his calf. Pochettino confirmed it was not a major issue and hoped he’d be available for the next match. The AC Milan star looked unplayable in the first half.
Other Results
- Mexico 2-0 South Africa (Group A) — The other co-hosts opened the tournament with a solid win at the Azteca.
- South Korea 2-1 Czechia (Group A) — A late winner puts them level on points with Mexico.
- Canada 1-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina (Group B) — Cyle Larin came off the bench to rescue a historic first World Cup point for Canada.
England’s Equipment Drama
In a bizarre off-field incident, thieves stole equipment from England’s team vehicles ahead of their arrival in Kansas City. Thankfully, most of the gear — including personalized boots — has been recovered, and two arrests have been made. England faces Croatia on Wednesday.
What’s Coming Up
| Match | Group | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Qatar vs Switzerland | B | 3:00 PM |
| Brazil vs Morocco | C | 6:00 PM |
| Haiti vs Scotland | C | 9:00 PM |
| Australia vs Turkey | D | 12:00 AM (Sun) |
Scotland returns to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years when they face Haiti in Boston. The Tartan Army is out in force.
Brazil takes on Morocco in what should be a fascinating Group C opener. Can Vinicius Junior finally convince the Brazilian public on the biggest stage?
Looking Ahead
The expanded 48-team format means 12 groups of 4, with the top two and eight best third-placed teams advancing to a Round of 32. With 104 matches across 39 days, there’s never been a World Cup like this.
Will the USA ride this momentum deep into the tournament? Drop your predictions in the comments!
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