The USMNT has achieved their finest performance in a World Cup.

USMNT Opens 2026 FIFA World Cup with Victory Over Paraguay

The U.S. men’s national soccer team kicked off the 2026 FIFA World Cup by securing a 4-1 win against Paraguay. This match marked a historic moment as it was the first time the USMNT scored four goals in a World Cup game. Many might argue they could have done even better.

Before the match, players seemed confident about the lineup. Coach Mauricio Pochettino aimed to replicate the energy displayed by Sergiño Dest and Alex Freeman on the right wing when they faced Uruguay last winter. On the opposite side, Anthony Robinson and Christian Pulisic have always drawn attention, supported by Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams in the midfield.

Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves discussed the significance of this opening match during their commentary. They emphasized that losing could put the team in a tough position, especially with the upcoming game in Turkiye. Would the pressure get to them, or would they step up?

Fortunately, it was the latter. In fact, they delivered arguably their best performance in the first half under Pochettino.

The USMNT played with purpose, actively engaging Paraguay from the onset. Pulisic stood out, showing confidence with the ball. An early play in the seventh minute resulted in the opening goal, as Damian Bobadilla mistakenly pushed the ball into his own net. Pulisic then assisted Folarin Balogun for the second goal, while Balogun found the net again during stoppage time, wrapping up the match.

Though he scored just once, Balogun’s overall first-half display was impeccable. We’ve seen this team, managed by Pochettino and others, struggle at times to break down defenses. But at SoFi Stadium, they seemed to grasp their tactical approach, controlling the game effectively against Paraguay across all phases.

Paraguay struggled, recording no significant touches in the first half. They managed only two touches inside the USMNT’s box, with a meager 28% possession. Malik Tillman was instrumental in setting the game’s tempo, along with wing-backs Robinson and Dest.

The second half wasn’t as smooth. The play in the final third often fell short, and Paraguay’s goal defense was, to be frank, quite lackluster. Nevertheless, the match ended on a high note as Gio Reyna scored with a stylish shot using the outside of his foot from outside the box.

The USMNT maintained a solid grip on possession, with 65%, limiting Paraguay to a solitary shot on target throughout the game. If they can correct the mistakes made regarding Mauricio’s goal, they could surely finish first in their group. This win has significantly bolstered their chances of advancing to the knockout stages.

Tim Howard shared a bold prediction before the match, suggesting they could reach the quarter-finals. He expressed confidence, stating that if they play effectively, they could be on the right track. He also noted that the team creates plenty of opportunities but needs to capitalize on them, highlighting the importance of regaining that winning mindset. “The quarter-finals would be fantastic,” he stated.