Balogun Leads U.S. to Statement World Cup Opening Win Over Paraguay

The United States opened its home World Cup with a 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles, and Folarin Balogun emerged as the night’s defining figure. The 24-year-old striker scored twice, was named man of the match, and helped turn a team long viewed as a World Cup underdog into one suddenly being discussed as a serious contender.

Balogun summed up the mood with a blunt challenge to doubters: “People ask why us. And I say, why not us? If you do not believe in yourself, you cannot achieve anything.” He added later, “I dreamed of scoring in the World Cup. I imagined it many times. But I did not imagine I would score two goals. It is a dream night.”

Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, Balogun moved to Britain at one month old and grew up in London. He developed in Arsenal’s academy, represented England at youth level, could have played for Nigeria, and chose the United States, joining the senior national team in 2023. He has since become a key player for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, after a breakout season at Reims and a later spell at Monaco, where he was named club player of the season for 2025/26.

More than 70,000 fans filled the stadium, including many relatives and friends who had come specially for the match, while others watched from London and elsewhere around the world. Paraguay’s early pressure led to an own goal, Balogun added his brace, and Gio Reyna completed the scoring. Balogun said the opener is always the hardest match, and while he urged patience, he also noted the result was historic, because he became the first American to score a World Cup brace since the 1930s. His total now stands at 11 goals in 28 appearances for the U.S., and Pochettino’s message, that his players can compete with any national team, appears to have landed.