On Saturday, former President Donald Trump offered his congratulations to the U.S. men's national team following their impressive 4-1 victory against Paraguay in the opening match of Group D at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Trump shared his message on Truth Social at 10:50 AM.
"Congrats to Team USA for a fantastic 4-1 win over a strong Paraguay team. Keep it up! President DJT," Trump posted on his platform.
The match took place on Friday at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, drawing a crowd of 70,492 spectators—the largest turnout for the team in a World Cup since 1994.
Historic Performance by Balogun
The standout performer of the match was forward Folarin Balogun, who scored a historic double against Paraguay, becoming the first American to net two goals in a World Cup match since Bert Patenaude in 1930.
The game got underway with an own goal by Paraguayan Damián Bobadilla in the seventh minute, following a coordinated play between Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.
Establishing an Unprecedented Lead
Balogun extended the lead in the 31st minute with an assist from Pulisic, and then scored his second goal during first-half stoppage time with a left-footed shot into the top corner, sending the U.S. team into the break with a remarkable 3-0 lead.
This marked the first time in World Cup history that the U.S. ended a half with such an advantage and also the first occasion they scored four goals in a single World Cup match.
Final Touches and Reactions
Paraguay managed to score in the 73rd minute through Mauricio, but Gio Reyna sealed the 4-1 victory with a stunning goal in stoppage time, having been substituted in the 82nd minute.
Though Trump was not present at the stadium, he designated Secretary of State Marco Rubio as his official representative. The day prior, Trump personally called Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino and the team captain to encourage them ahead of their debut, assuring them that "the pressure is off" and to "have fun."
Pochettino expressed being "very, very, very proud" of the team's performance but emphasized that the victory is merely the beginning and the team must remain focused.
With this outcome, the U.S. currently leads Group D with three points and a +3 goal difference. Their next match is scheduled for June 19 in Seattle against Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions About the U.S. World Cup Victory
Who scored the goals for the U.S. against Paraguay?
Folarin Balogun scored twice, while Gio Reyna added a goal. The fourth goal was an own goal by Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla.
Where did the match against Paraguay take place?
The match was held at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
When is the U.S. team's next World Cup match?
The U.S. will play their next match against Australia on June 19 in Seattle.