World Cup 2026United States · Canada · Mexico
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USA open World Cup with 4-1 win over Paraguay as VAR rule makes debut

The co-hosts started strongly, helped by an early own goal, a Balogun brace and a late Reyna finish.

June 12, 2026 · 3 min read · Source: Xinhua via Huanqiu.com

A football near the touchline with a VAR monitor and a 4-1 stadium scoreboard in the background.

4-1 final

Balogun scored twice

VAR review debut

USA: 3 Group D points

The United States opened its World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in its Group D opener.

Paraguay conceded an early own goal, putting the co-hosts ahead. Folarin Balogun then scored twice to stretch the lead before Giovanni Reyna added a late fourth goal.

Paraguay pulled one back in the 73rd minute, but the overall pattern of the match remained firmly in the United States' favor.

The match also brought the first use of the expanded VAR protocol at this tournament. A yellow card shown to Tim Ream was overturned after review, and Paraguay's Miguel Almiron was instead booked for simulation.

With the win, the United States moved to three points in Group D.