US wins 4-1 against Paraguay in World Cup home opener
US and Paraguayan flags are seen ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between the USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026. (Photo by Valerie MACON / AFP via Getty Images)
It’s match day for the U.S. men's national team, and they’ll be facing off against Paraguay in California.
The U.S. is ranked No. 17 in the world, advancing to the knockout round in four of the last six World Cups it has played in.
Here’s a look at what’s happening Friday:
US wins!
11:03 p.m. ET: The U.S. got a late goal from Gio Reyna to beat Paraguay 4-1. According to FIFA, the win happened in front of 70,492 fans who packed into Los Angeles Stadium for the match. It's the first time the U.S. has scored four goals in a World Cup match.
Giovanni Reyna #7 of the United States celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with team mates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jared
Paraguay scores
10:40 p.m. ET: Paraguay's Mauricio Magalhães scored to make the margin 3-1.
Flo Balogun scores again
9:54 p.m. ET: Folarin Balogun makes it 3-0 for the U.S. before halftime, his second score of the game.
US forward #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teamamtes after scoring his team's third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T.
US up 2-0
9:34 p.m. ET: Striker Flo Balogun has scored the second goal for the U.S., giving the U.S. a two-point lead.
US scores 1st goal less than 7 minutes in
9:10 p.m. ET: The U.S. has scored the first goal of the match, less than seven minutes into playtime. Weston McKinnie kicked to Christian Pulisic, before the ball bounced off a Paraguay defender and in the back of the net.
Match is officially underway
9:03 p.m. ET: The highly-anticipated opening match of 2026 World Cup play in the United States is officially underway between Paraguay and the Americans.
The U.S. is seen as a slight favorite.
US announces starting goalkeeper
8:26 p.m. ET: U.S. men's coach Mauricio Pochettino has decided to go with Matt Freese over Matt Turner for starting goalkeeper.
Chris Richards will also start as expected. He hasn't played in 26 days because of a torn ligament in his ankle.
USMNT warm ups during a training session on June 10, 2026 in Irvine, California. (Photo by John Dorton/USSF/Getty Images)
Trump called US team to wish them good luck
8 p.m. ET: President Trump, who is not attending the opener against Paraguay, called the team to wish them good luck.
"I think you’ve got a really good chance of going all the way," Trump told coach Mauricio Pochettino and the players on speakerphone. "So I wanted to wish you a lot of luck."
Pochettino responded: "We are doing everything to make you proud, and everyone in this country."
Trump gives message of support to USMNT
President Donald Trump sent a message of support to the U.S. men's national team ahead of Friday's World Cup group stage opener against Paraguay.
Opening ceremony
Before the match, Los Angeles Stadium will have an opening ceremony that includes pop star Katy Perry, global K-pop star LISA, Nigerian Afrobeats artist Rema, Brazilian pop artist Anitta and hip-hop artist Future.
Los Angeles Stadium is ready to welcome thousands of fans for the stadiums's first match of the 2026 World Cup as the USA takes on Paraguay.
How to watch Team USA's World Cup matches
- Friday, June 12, 2026: USA vs Paraguay Live Los Angeles Stadium (6 p.m. PT/ 9 p.m. ET)
Outside of watching FOX on live broadcast TV, there are several options audiences can choose from to enjoy the soccer matches.
You can stream USA vs. Paraguay, live and free on Tubi tonight — including a star-studded opening ceremony. Coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET and kickoff at 9 p.m. ET. You must be signed in to watch.
Another free option is through FIFA+ and select YouTube streams.
Paid options include:
- FOX One
- FOX Sports 1
- Fubo
- YouTube TV
- FOX Sports app
- Hulu+ LiveTV
- Peacock (Spanish-language)
Future US matches to watch out for:
- Friday, June 19, 2026: USA vs Australia Live Seattle Stadium (12 p.m. PT/ 3 p.m. ET)
- Thursday, June 25, 2026: USA vs Türkiye LiveLos Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California (7 p.m. PT/ 10 p.m. ET)
FIFA World Cup 2026 Group Stage
The 2026 World Cup is an expanded 48-team tournament featuring 104 matches taking place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four with each team playing its group stage opponents for a total of three first-round games per side.
FOX Sports World Cup coverage
When is the World Cup final?
Timeline:
The World Cup final will take place July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the culmination of a month-long tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from The Associated Press and previous reporting by LiveNOW from FOX.