U.S. beats Paraguay in FIFA World Cup Group D opener (updated)

LOS ANGELES, June 13 — Folarin Balogun’s brace and the tournament’s first own goal lifted co-host the United States to a 4-1 win over Paraguay in the Group D opener of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday.

After a star-studded pre-match ceremony at the Los Angeles Stadium, the U.S. pressed high against Paraguay, who returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.

A dream start came seven minutes in, when Weston McKennie’s pass was deflected by Paraguay defender Damian Bobadilla into his own net for the tournament’s first own goal.