USA start World Cup in style - but will they finally join the elite? — Sport

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Balogun nets his second and USA's third versus Paraguay

Published 13 June 2026

If there were any doubts that the USA were prepared to rise to the occasion as one of the hosts of the 2026 World Cup, they were erased in a stunning 45-minute display against Paraguay on Saturday.

Following a glamorous pre-match build-up that included a performance by Katy Perry, watched by Hollywood stars like Tom Cruise in the crowd, and with thousands of supporters dressed in stars and stripes, they could have been forgiven for buckling under the weight of expectation.

Instead, they rose to the challenge, with three goals in a whirlwind first half, followed by a superb fourth from Gio Reyna in stoppage time, securing a 4-1 victory and a flawless start in Group D.

But even before this showing, some had already recognized the potential of a USA team that has grown considerably under former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino over the past 20 months.

Former USA goalkeeper Tony Meola is one analyst who has argued they are now on track to compete with football's top nations.

"We are now far more established," said Meola, who was part of the US squad at the 1990, 1994, and 2002 World Cups.

"We have players competing all over the world, we have an incredible league, and we have facilities that the world is currently using. Those were just a dream a few years ago; now we are a football nation."

This marks the first time since 1930 that the USA has won a World Cup match by three goals, and the result is likely to make other teams in the tournament take notice.

"The USA were incredible," England legend Ellen White said on BBC Match of the Day.

"You talk about pressure, but they embraced it, they enjoyed it. They probably stunned the world with that performance."

The USA netted three goals in a dominant first half

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Win could help inspire a nation to believe

Pochettino will be the first to note that nothing has been achieved yet, but the Argentine manager will understand that a start like this was crucial for building both confidence and momentum.

Before their opener, it seemed that Americans were largely uninterested in their country hosting a World Cup—in Los Angeles, the city where the USA played their first match, it was easy to be unaware that a major tournament was about to start.

But that shifted on Friday, as USA shirts dominated the metro and appeared in bars and coffee shops in the hours before kick-off.

A failure to win could have quickly drained that passion and excitement, but instead it will likely be amplified ahead of their remaining two group games against Turkey and Australia.

Their first-half dominance was underscored by the fact they had 71% possession.

"They look like a really dangerous team, they look fit, they look sharp, they look hungry," former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy said on BBC Match of the Day following the USA's impressive first-half performance.

"When you're playing well, the crowd gets behind you. This is an intimidating stadium when the majority of the crowd is on your side, that's for sure."

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Katy Perry, Tyla & Future among performers at USA's opening ceremony

Pochettino's influence is evident

Pochettino became USA manager in September 2024

Pochettino was appointed as USA coach 20 months ago, with the task of transforming a team that often managed to get out of the group stage but rarely advanced further.

The USA's tactical evolution under the Argentine was clear against Paraguay, as they employed a high-pressing, attacking style of football that their opponents could not handle.

Additionally, Pochettino has been able to rely on a squad full of talent—17 of the 26 players in his camp compete in Europe's top five leagues, with seven of those playing in the Premier League.

He has also shifted the players' mindset, urging them to abandon the notion that they are underdogs and instead believe they can be among the elite, capable not just of going deep but of actually winning the World Cup.

"Why not us?" he said earlier this year. "We need to truly believe that we can be there. We need to dream."

The USA will, of course, need to beat stronger teams than Paraguay to win the World Cup, but this performance will certainly help their fans believe they can at least match their run to the quarter-finals in 2002.

"The United States brought in Pochettino with this tournament in mind after failing to deliver in past World Cups," former Wales defender Ashley Williams said on Match of the Day.

"They also have a group of players you expect to go far in this tournament, so the expectation will be huge.

"If things click with Pochettino and with a strong starting 11, I think the United States can go far in this tournament on home soil. They will be looking at this group and thinking they should top it."

Pulisic and Balogun key to USA hopes

If there is one area of concern for Pochettino and USA fans, it might be how this game highlighted the importance of Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun to their prospects.

Both were instrumental in a first half where the USA looked capable of scoring with every attack, with Balogun netting two goals and Pulisic providing an assist.

But Pulisic was substituted at half-time, while Balogun came off with 18 minutes remaining, and although the USA still dominated, they were not the attacking threat they had been in the first 45 minutes.

After the match, Pochettino confirmed that Pulisic's withdrawal was precautionary after he felt something in his calf, where he had been kicked during an earlier training session.

"I hope it is not a big issue, but when we finished the first half he could not work," Pochettino said.

"Hopefully not a big issue. Now I think it's better, and hopefully for the next game he will be available."

As for the idea that the USA could be the surprise team of the tournament, Pochettino believes it is too early to make that judgment.

"We know in the world of sports that when you see good performances and good results, everyone thinks of success and people try to flatter you, but when you lose, it is a catastrophe," he added.

"I think we've had a good match, but I think to be the upset of the World Cup, we need to get to the semi-finals or the quarter-finals, then yes.

"We have to see if throughout the tournament we can be that pleasant surprise that other teams have been at World Cups."