US Victory Over Paraguay in World Cup Opener Sparks Hope for a Deep Tournament Run

Coach Pochettino said the fans were amazing: ‘The whole team must say thank you to the fans.’ Next up for Team USA is Australia on Friday.

Team USA players applaud fans after the 4-1 win over Paraguay in a Group D match at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026. Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

A few days have passed since the United States sailed through in its World Cup opener, and the wave of hope remains on the rise as the group stage moves forward.

The joint-hosting U.S. side powered past Paraguay in its first FIFA World Cup match on Friday with a 4–1 domination that could have been a six-goal romp with some better fortune. And with each goal and subsequent victory, the wall of resistance—known as the rest of the field—might start to do a double take on the United States.