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The United States men’s national team made a statement as it opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, defeating Paraguay 4-1 last week behind two goals from Folarin Balogun.
The United States scored less than seven minutes into the game, taking a 1-0 lead when Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla redirected the ball into his own goal. Fans inside the packed stadium in Inglewood, California, roared as the USMNT took an early lead.
The result gave the United States its largest margin of victory in the World Cup since 1930, when the Americans twice won 3-0 in the inaugural edition of the tournament.
After opening the tournament in Southern California, the USMNT will remain on the west coast and head north to Seattle for their next group stage match against Australia at 3 p.m. ET.
WATCH USA VS AUSTRALIA ON FOX ONE
A view of the ball in the back of the net after the USMNT scored a goal in a FIFA World Cup group stage match against Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Australia opened their World Cup campaign last week with a 2-0 win over Türkiye.
Under the direction of coach Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT entered the tournament as the 17th team in the FIFA World Rankings. FIFA determines its world ranking using the Elo rating system, which rewards teams for their victories and penalizes them for their losses, while taking into account the strength of the competition.
The availability of Team USA star midfielder Christian Pulisic remains an unknown after he was substituted in last week’s win over Paraguay with a left calf problem. Pulisic said the move was a precaution after receiving a kick to the calf, adding that he “really hoped it was nothing.”
U.S. men’s national team fans celebrate outside Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., Friday, June 12, 2026. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP via Getty Images))
Pochettino said he will consult medical staff before deciding whether Pulisic can play in a crucial Group D showdown. The result of the match could go a long way to determining which team tops the group next week.
“Tonight, the day before the game, we have a meeting with our medical area and we will evaluate the entire group, the players and tomorrow we will communicate the things on which we cannot agree.” [on] tonight,” Pochettino told reporters on Thursday. “He is involved[ed]It’s much better since Friday. “We’ll see.”
SEE USA VS AUSTRALIA
This year’s World Cup features an expanded field of 48 teams.
Here’s how to watch the game, including start time, TV information and streaming options.
Sebastian Berhalter and Giovanni Reyna of the United States celebrate after their victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group D match against Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026. (Jared C. Tilton/FIFA via Getty Images)
How to watch United States vs Australia
When: Friday, June 19, 2026, at 3 pm Eastern Time
Where: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
TV: FOX
Stream: Watch it free for three days on FOX One, Watch it free on Tubi, FOX Sports.
