The United States men’s national team opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Friday night, the biggest winning margin the US has ever recorded in a World Cup match. The result put the host nation at the top of Group D after the opening round of fixtures.

Paraguay defender Damian Bobadilla turned the ball into his own net in the sixth minute to give the United States an early lead. Folarin Balogun doubled the advantage before halftime, then scored again in the second period to become the first American player since Bert Patenaude in 1930 to score more than once in a single World Cup game. Gio Reyna added a fourth in stoppage time. Paraguay’s Mathias Villasanti scored a consolation goal in the 73rd minute.

The match drew an announced crowd of 83,412 at SoFi Stadium, making it one of the largest attendances ever for a soccer match in the United States. The atmosphere inside the stadium was described by players and broadcasters as unlike anything seen at a US domestic venue. Coach Mauricio Pochettino named a settled starting lineup built around European-based players, and they produced a performance that exceeded expectations across the board.

Balogun, who plays for Monaco in France, has been the subject of debate about his eligibility, having chosen to represent the United States after growing up in England. Friday’s display ended any lingering questions about his commitment. Chris Richards completed every one of his 83 passing attempts during the match, setting a new World Cup record for passing accuracy.

Paraguay, making their first World Cup appearance since 2010, struggled to contain the US pressing system in the final third. Coach Gustavo Morinigo said his team had found it difficult to build out under sustained pressure and acknowledged they had been beaten by a better side on the night.

The US last hosted a World Cup match in 1994, when the tournament was shared between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The 2026 edition marks the return after 32 years, and the host nation’s commanding opener has set expectations high for the remainder of the group stage. Both co-hosts opened their campaigns on the same day, with Canada drawing 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto. The South Korea win over Czech Republic on Thursday had already confirmed the tournament’s competitive quality. Group D continues with England and a fourth opponent yet to play their openers. Full match statistics are available on the FIFA official website. The US next play in Group D on Tuesday.