Key facts
- The US Men's National Team defeated Paraguay 4-1 in their opening 2026 World Cup match.
- Folarin Balogun scored a brace in the first half for the US.
- Christian Pulisic was substituted at halftime due to calf tightness.
- Gio Reyna scored a late goal for the US after a 26-pass team move.
- Germany led Curacao 3-1 at halftime in their World Cup debut.
- Curacao scored its first-ever World Cup goal in the 21st minute.
- The 2026 World Cup is being hosted in the US.
The US Men's National Team commenced their 2026 World Cup journey with a commanding 4-1 triumph over Paraguay. Folarin Balogun was instrumental in the first half, netting a brace to establish a strong lead for the United States. The team's performance was further highlighted by a remarkable late goal from Gio Reyna, which concluded a fluid 26-pass sequence spanning 70 seconds. This victory marks a positive start to their home World Cup campaign.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, concerns arose regarding Christian Pulisic's physical condition. Pulisic experienced calf tightness and was substituted at halftime, casting a shadow over the otherwise dominant performance. The extent of his injury and availability for future matches remains a point of attention.
In parallel World Cup action, Germany established a 3-1 lead over Curacao by halftime in their debut match. Curacao managed to score its first-ever World Cup goal in the 21st minute, a historic moment for the nation. Germany, however, responded by regaining and extending its lead before the first half concluded.