Pochettino hails 'amazing' US fans as USMNT open World Cup with record 4-1 rout of Paraguay

The United States opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on Saturday — the most goals the USMNT have ever scored in a World Cup opener — as head coach Mauricio Pochettino declared the occasion a landmark moment for the sport in America.

Playing their first men’s World Cup match on home soil since 1994, the US were backed by a crowd of 70,492, and Pochettino was visibly moved by the reception. “That is, when you talk about America, that passion, that feeling today,” he said post-match. “They were amazing. And now they realize that soccer here in America is massive, is big. Be careful of the other sports.”

Striking debutant Folarin Balogun was the standout performer, scoring a brace in his first World Cup appearance, while midfielder Gio Reyna put the result beyond doubt with his first World Cup goal in the 97th minute to complete the rout.

Pochettino, coaching in his first World Cup, acknowledged the weight of expectation that comes with hosting the tournament. “The first game is always difficult, always so difficult hosting the World Cup — the expectation,” he said. “But in the way that these guys managed all the expectation and pressure was massive. I saw the first 45 minutes and I said we’re amazing.”

The result is a promising start for a squad carrying 13 first-time World Cup participants. Since Pochettino took charge in 2024, the US have posted a record of 16 wins, 10 draws and just one defeat, having also reached the final of the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup and finished fourth at the 2025 Concacaf Nations League.

The USMNT’s next Group Stage fixture is against Australia at Seattle Stadium on Friday, before they conclude group play against Türkiye on 25 June back at Los Angeles Stadium.