U.S. Defeats Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup 2026 Opener at SoFi Stadium
The U.S. national team defeated Paraguay 4-1 in their Group D opener at SoFi Stadium on [date], according to ANSA. The match, part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, saw the U.S. take a 3-0 lead in the first half, with Folarin Balogun scoring a brace and Damián Bobadilla netting an own goal. Paraguay’s Mauricio scored in the second half, while Giovanni Reyna added a late goal, per the report.
Key Performers and Lineup Details
The U.S. squad, managed by Gregg Berhalter, featured a 4-2-3-1 formation with goalkeeper Ethan Finlay, defenders Reggie Cannon and Chris Richards, and midfielders Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams. Balogun, who scored twice, and Pulisic were central to the attack, while Reyna’s goal in the 53rd minute sealed the victory. Paraguay’s lineup included goalkeeper Antony Silva, defender Diego Gómez, and forward Luis Fernández, according to the source.
Trump’s Absence and Political Attendance
U.S. President Donald Trump did not attend the match, with his delegation instead sending Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as reported by ANSA. Rubio was seated alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña. The absence of Trump contrasted with other world leaders, including Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who attended their teams’ matches.
Match Statistics and Referee
The match, officiated by Dutch referee Danny Makkelie, saw the U.S. dominate possession with 3-1 shot advantage, according to the report. Additional details on substitutions and yellow cards were provided, though specific sources for these statistics were not cited.
Context of the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup, the first to be hosted by three nations, will run from June to July 2026. The U.S. opener against Paraguay marked the start of the tournament’s group stage, with the winner of Group D set to advance to the knockout rounds.
Political and Public Reactions
While the match itself was a focus, the absence of Trump and the presence of high-profile political figures drew attention. Rubio’s attendance, alongside potential 2028 presidential rival Gavin Newsom, highlighted the intersection of sports and politics. No official statements from the U.S. government regarding the match were cited in the report.
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