The United States Men’s National Team just made one thing crystal clear – they mean business at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and they’re doing it in front of their home crowd.
Folarin Balogun scored twice and Christian Pulisic ran roughshod over Paraguayan defenders as the United States recorded a dominant 4-1 victory in its World Cup opener on Friday. The electric atmosphere was everything fans had dreamed of, and the USMNT delivered. NBC News
The USA scored in just the seventh minute of its opening match and then found the back of the net two more times before halftime – a jaw-dropping first half that had fans on their feet from start to finish at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. NBC News
It’s the first time in 32 years that the U.S. is hosting the World Cup, this time as one of three host nations alongside Canada and Mexico. The energy around American soccer has never felt this real, this electric, or this full of genuine belief. CBS News
ESPN described it as the U.S.’s largest World Cup win since 1930 – a historic result that signals just how far this program has come. ESPN
But the job is far from done. The U.S. faces Australia on June 19 at Seattle’s Lumen Field, then returns to SoFi Stadium to face Turkey on June 25. Both matches will be crucial in shaping their knockout stage path. CBS News
Team captain Tim Ream expressed full confidence heading into the tournament, saying he has no doubt the U.S. could potentially win it all. With performances like Friday’s, that no longer sounds like wishful thinking. CBS News
USA soccer isn’t just hosting the party – they’re trying to win it. And right now? Nobody’s stopping them.
Stay tuned as the USMNT continues their World Cup journey this summer!