USA Starts 2026 World Cup with 4-1 Victory Over Paraguay
The United States launched its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a commanding 4‑1 win against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
Former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun starred with a brace, opening the scoring after an own‑goal by Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla just seven minutes in.
Balogun’s first effort was ruled out for offside, but he netted minutes later from a Christian Pulisic pass to put the U.S. firmly ahead.
Before halftime, Balogun completed his brace by latching onto a Malik Tillman through‑ball, shrugging off Omar Alderete and curling a finish into the top corner.
Paraguay pulled one back early in the second half when Mauricio converted a Julio Enciso cross, but substitute Giovanni Reyna sealed the win with a stunning 20‑yard strike using the outside of his right foot.
Balogun became only the second American to score more than once in a World Cup match, matching Bert Patenaude’s feat from 1930, and the result tied the U.S. record for biggest World Cup victory margin.
Canada Secures Historic Point with 1-1 Draw Against Bosnia-Herzegovina
In Toronto, Canada avoided defeat for the first time in World Cup history, fighting back to earn a 1‑1 draw against Bosnia‑Herzegovina.
Bosnia took the lead in the 21st minute when Jovo Lukic headed home his first international goal after Sead Kolasinac flicked on Ivan Basic’s corner.
Canada pressed for an equaliser; Richie Laryea’s shot was cleared off the line by Nikola Katic, and Kolasinac later denied a Tani Oluwaseyi header with a goal‑line save onto the crossbar.
The breakthrough came in the 78th minute when substitute Cyle Larin, having just entered the game, spun away from Tarik Muharemovic and fired past Nikola Vasilj, the ball taking a slight deflection before crossing the line.
The equaliser gave Canada its first ever World Cup point, ending a streak of losses that stretched from their 1986 and 2022 appearances.
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