The USA secured the perfect start to their World Cup 2026 campaign against Paraguay after a Damian Bobadilla own-goal following an electric run from Christian Pulisic.
And a second goal almost arrived through Sergiño Dest, but for a poor first touch, but the intense pace set by Mauricio Pochettino’s side paid off once again during a dominant first-half display.
Pulisic raced away down the left and his cut-back found Folarin Balogun, who made no mistake with a clinical finish.
The opening ceremony saw performances from Katy Perry and Future at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles ahead of the Group D opener before Australia face Turkey on Saturday.
While President Donald Trump’s absence at SoFi Stadium was notable, ahead of his 80th birthday celebrations in Washington this weekend, while empty seats and the World Cup’s mandatory drinks breaks have been controversial aspects of the tournament so far.
Follow live updates from the USA’s opening ceremony and the Paraguay match, below
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USA vs Paraguay LIVE: Latest World Cup updates
- USA plays Paraguay in their opening match of World Cup | Live on BBC in UK, Fox and Tubi in US
- 31' GOAL! Balogun doubles US lead moments after having goal disallowed [USA 2-0 PAR]
- 7' GOAL! Pulisic inspires breakthrough as Bobadilla knocks into own net [USA 1-0 PAR]
- Donald Trump not attending opening game
- Katy Perry and Future headlined third and final opening ceremony
HALF-TIME! USA 3-0 Paraguay
02:55 , Will CastleAnd that’s the last kick of the half!
What a statement 45 minutes of football from the Americans.
GOAL! USA 3-0 Paraguay (Balogun, 45+5')
02:52 , Will CastleWHAT A FINISH!
That just sums up the half. Folarin Balogun darts in behind, sends his man before bending it right into the top corner.
The US look SUBLIME!
USA 2-0 Paraguay
02:50 , Will Castle45+3 mins: Chance for Paraguay to maybe cause some trouble as they launch a free-kick from deep into the US box, but Freese comes out to catch. The New York stopper has been a virtual bystander here - he’ll take the practice.
USA 2-0 Paraguay
02:49 , Will Castle45+1 mins: Five minutes of first-half added time. Paraguay will be desperate to get to the break only two down.
USA 2-0 Paraguay
02:46 , Will Castle43 mins: SAVE! Another sweeping move from the US almost ends with a third, with Gill coming to the rescue!
Dest, McKennie and Tillman all combine to try and fashion a tap-in but the Paraguay keeper makes himself big to deny the hosts.
USA 2-0 Paraguay
02:44 , Will Castle41 mins: Pochettino is not happy with a challenge on one of his players - looks like studs may have been raked down the back on Achilles.
Anyway, he’s back up and here come the US again. Dest breezes past his man like it’s nothing but his cross is too close to the keeper.
USA 2-0 Paraguay
02:40 , Will Castle37 mins: CLOSE! Paraguay struggle to clear another delivery, tapping it out for Tillman whose effort is blocked for a corner.
The corner is then met by Richards, whose header goes agonisingly wide! The keeper may have had it covered but he was scrambling.
USA 2-0 Paraguay
02:39 , Will Castle35 mins: Paraguay are clinging on for dear life now.
It’s not just Pulisic - every US attacker smells blood and wants to drive at the Paraguay defenders, who are having a really difficult time.
Another cross comes in from the left aiming for Balogun, who makes contact but can only flick it on. The Americans are having a field day.
USA 2-0 Paraguay
02:35 , Will Castle32 mins: A reminder that Balogun did play for the England U21s before switching allegiances.
Now with a World Cup goal to his name, I doubt he has any regrets over his decision.
GOAL! USA 2-0 Paraguay (Balogun, 31')
02:34 , Will CastleHe didn’t need a second invitation!
Folarin Balogun plants home after another great run forward by Christian Pulisic, who pulls it back for the Monaco striker to finish.
He can celebrate now!
NO GOAL! USA 1-0 Paraguay
02:32 , Will Castle28 mins: Folarin Balogun tucks neatly in for what looks like USA’s second right from the restart - but after an age, the linesman puts his flag up!
Replays show Christian Pulisic was about two yards off in the build-up, and Balogun may have strayed himself.
USA 1-0 Paraguay
02:30 , Will Castle27 mins: We’re off again.
USA 1-0 Paraguay
02:27 , Will Castle24 mins: Pulisic looks to inspire again but blazes a cross too high and it flies out of play.
Time for a hydration break.
The US are very good value for their lead.
USA 1-0 Paraguay
02:26 , Will Castle23 mins: It looks like Paraguay are just about finding some composure in this game after a frantic start.
Still the US dominate possession.
USA 1-0 Paraguay
02:22 , Will Castle18 mins: The US get another chance from a set piece as Richards heads of the bar, but a clash of skulls with Alderete leaves both on the deck.
USA 1-0 Paraguay
02:20 , Will Castle17 mins: CHANCE! A better touch and that should be 2-0!
The USA get the overload as Balogun draws in the defender and slips Dest into the box.
He has acres of space but his touch forces him too close to the goalkeeper, with his cutback to the former Arsenal youth star intercepted.
The Americans are carving Paraguay’s defence apart at the moment - this could get ugly if it stays this dominant.
USA 1-0 Paraguay
02:18 , Will Castle16 mins: First bit of joy in a while for Paraguay as they come forward through Enciso.
The Strasbourg man fires an effort that rolls harmlessly wide of the post but wants a corner. Replays show he was right.
USA 1-0 Paraguay
02:15 , Will Castle11 mins: The US have their tail up. Pulisic continues to terrorise the Paraguay defence, beating Juan José Cáceres who him down and is shown a yellow.
Nothing comes directly from the free-kick but the Americans come again, and again, and again. Balogun also looks a live wire.
This is exactly what the home crowd would’ve wanted to see.
'US settle their nerves'
02:13 , Lawrence Ostlere at SoFi StadiumHere’s Lawrence Ostlere inside SoFi Stadium:
“That was unfortunate for Damian Bobadilla, who got himself in the right spot to cut out the pass but ended up clumsily putting the ball into his own net. Both teams had started brightly but it’s the US who strike first and that’s just what they needed to ease a few nerves.”
GOAL! USA 1-0 Paraguay (Bobadilla OG, 7')
02:10 , Will CastleIT’S A DREAM START FOR THE HOSTS!
They get a huge strike of luck as Damian Bobadilla knocks into his own net, but it stems from a wonderful bit of skill from main man Christian Pulisic who dances into the box, nutmegging his man before putting it on a plate for Weston McKennie.
McKennie should probably shoot but he chooses to pass it, something Bobadilla wasn’t expecting as he runs into the ball, which rolls over the line.
Lift-off in LA!
USA 0-0 Paraguay
02:07 , Will Castle4 mins: This has been a good start, and now the US are coming. They burst forward, slipping one through to Balogun who does get a shot away under pressure, but it’s straight at the keeper.
Long may this tempo continue.
USA 0-0 Paraguay
02:06 , Will Castle2 mins: After the US went for the long hoof straight from kick-off, Paraguay have cleared and started brightly.
They found their way into the opposite box before Gomez flashes one across goal from the tight angle, which requires Freese to tip over.
KICK-OFF! USA 0-0 Paraguay
02:02 , Will CastleWE ARE UNDERWAY!
'Looks like a sellout'
02:01 , Lawrence Ostlere at SoFi StadiumHere’s Lawrence Ostlere inside SoFi Stadium:
“There are still a few empty seats dotted around the stadium but that may just be latecomers or people still out on the concourses. In the main, it looks like a sellout. Fans outside told me they spent around $1,000 for tickets for this one. If that’s the average, then that’s revenue of more than $70m for Fifa from this game alone.”
Rousing rendition of 'Star-Spangled Banner'
02:00 , Will CastleTime for the first “Star Spangled Banner” of this World Cup...
Wow. That was pretty magnificent. Did I imagine the eagle squawk?
Here come the teams
01:56 , Will CastleNow for the proper action!
The flags are laid and the teams are making their way out to the centre circle for their national anthems.
Paraguay up first...
Katy Perry headlines opening ceremony
01:55 , Will CastleOne song and that’s your lot. Was expecting something a bit over-the-top and self-indulgent from the Americans but, if anything, that was very lowkey.
A quick Google search reveals that the boy was Tias Luka, a young Norwegian singer who features on the song “Wonder”. Should’ve known!
Katy Perry headlines opening ceremony
01:53 , Will CastleIt’s not just international pop star Katy Perry singing the US into their World Cup opener - she’s joined by a little boy!
Why he’s there I’m not sure, but he can sing so fair play.
Katy Perry headlines opening ceremony
01:50 , Will CastleYour headline act is here!
Katy Perry is at the centre circle with mic in hand and is performing her song “Wonder”.
Parade of nations now... Katy Perry next?
01:45 , Lawrence Ostlere at SoFi StadiumAbout 15 minutes until kick-off here and we are embarking on a parade of nations, ushered in by Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, with each of the 48 teams’ flag being carried out to the centre circle.
Presumably Katy Perry is imminent…
Ream: 'We expect to see a full stadium'
01:41 , Will CastleUS captain Tim Ream says he “expects to see a full stadium” when the team steps out onto the pitch ahead for kick-off.
"We expect to see a full stadium, an incredible crowd, an incredible atmosphere and an opening ceremony for us that will be the culmination of a lot of hard work and decisions that we have made to get to this point,” he said.
Currently still a lot empty seats with about 20 minutes until we get underway.
Pochettino: 'The time is now'
01:36 , Will Castle"I trust in my players, I trust in the process,” said US manager Mauricio Pochettino. “We are very confident. We know the game is about competing and the time is now. We need to deliver the show.
”The first game is difficult for everyone. Paraguay is a very good team with very good players and very good coach. They are very competitive.
“We want to play well, win games and compete. They are going to show aggression."
Pulisic getting the love
01:32 , Will CastleHuge cheer as Christian Pulisic’s name is read out over the SoFi PA during the US line-up announcement.
He’s the American hero of this World Cup.
Who are Paraguay's ones to watch?
01:25 , Will CastleLet’s take a look at Paraguay’s team, shall we.
They’ve got a couple of current Premier League names, one of which was Sunderland centre-back Omar Alderete who starred for the Black Cats in their first season back in the top-flight.
Diego Gomez has also become a regular at Brighton, starting alongside former Seagulls man Julio Enciso.
But the most recognisable name in their team will be former Newcastle winger Miguel Almiron, who now finds himself back playing in the United States with Atlanta United.
We’ll always remember that purple patch in 2023...
Opening ceremony gone quiet
01:16 , Will CastleSo, this now feels much less like a World Cup opening ceremony and more like a normal pre-match build.
The likes of Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson are pinging balls to each other, fans are slowly filtering into the ground, and “Freed From Desire” is blaring over the speakers. Feels like I’m at Craven Cottage in 2024.
Some time until Katy Perry...
01:10 , Will CastleRight - the players are out on the field to warm up. Looks like the main event of Katy Perry won’t be happening until right before kick-off... if at all?
Richards returns for USA
01:06 , Will CastleTeam news brings a huge injury boost for the USA, with Chris Richards deemed fit to start after winning his race to recover from an ankle injury. He starts alongside captain Tim Ream.
Going forward, the USA’s main threat will be Christian Pulisic, who is joined by former Arsenal youth star Folarin Balogun.
TEAM NEWS!
Saturday 13 June 2026 00:59 , Will CastleUSA XI: Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; Adams, McKennie, Dest, Tillman, Pulisic; Balogun
Paraguay XI: Gill; Cáceres, Gómez, Alderete, Júnior Alonso; Cubas, Bobadilla, Diego Gómez; Enciso, Almirón; Sanabria.
Your XI for Match #1 at the @FIFAWorldCup.#USMNT x The @HomeDepot pic.twitter.com/0LHLne0ibK
Equipo 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐨 ✔️
— Selección Paraguaya (@Albirroja) June 12, 2026
📋 Ellos son los elegidos por el DT Gustavo Alfaro para el debut en la máxima cita.
🆚 🇺🇸
🏆 @FIFAWorldCup 2026 - Grupo D
🏟️ Los Angeles Stadium
🕙 22:00 h
📺 @SomosGEN | @trecepy | @somospopupy | @Unicanal
¡Dale la #Albirroja ⚪🔴!… pic.twitter.com/AuLwohvvUv
World Cup 2026 USA opening ceremony
Saturday 13 June 2026 00:58 , Will CastleShould note that the stadium is still only half-full for the opening ceremony, which was penned in to begin about half an hour ago.
Katy Perry won’t be happy performing to thousands of empty seats. Let’s hope it fills up for the actual game...
'No need for water breaks but we're getting them anyway'
Saturday 13 June 2026 00:55 , Lawrence Ostlere at SoFi StadiumHere’s Lawrence Ostlere at SoFi Stadium:
“Good afternoon from SoFi Stadium, known today as the Los Angeles Stadium for Fifa reasons. It’s a beautiful day here, 20+C with a breeze flowing off the Pacific Ocean. There is no need for water breaks but as you know by now, we’re getting them anyway. Fans are streaming in, there’s a nice buzz, and soon it will be over to the US team to deliver amid plenty of expectation here.”
World Cup 2026 USA opening ceremony
Saturday 13 June 2026 00:53 , Will CastleSome questionable lip-syncing there, but not the artists’ fault that they’re not allowed to sing. That’s it for act one of this opening ceremony - I assume we’re getting a quick change of stage before ramping things up...
World Cup 2026 USA opening ceremony
Saturday 13 June 2026 00:51 , Will CastleAh, so that’s what this mysterious dribbler is here for! He’s dropping the shoulder and weaving his way past cardboard signs to lead us into different musical acts. That’s one way to do a transition, I guess.
Now it’s Lisa, Rema and Anitta’s turn to take the spotlight.
World Cup 2026 USA opening ceremony
Saturday 13 June 2026 00:48 , Will CastleFuture and Tyla are performing their World Cup 2026 anthem, Game Time.
Fair play to Tyla, this is her second opening ceremony having also performed at Mexico’s last night.
World Cup 2026 USA opening ceremony
Saturday 13 June 2026 00:46 , Will CastleSome serious drumming is accompanied by a man decked in a gold outfit akin to that of one George Washington.
Then someone with a funky haircut clumsily dribbles through the middle of the drummers. Are we going to get some freestyling?
No. Onto the first musical act: Future.
Here we go!
Saturday 13 June 2026 00:42 , Will CastleThe opening ceremony is getting underway!
A very ominous, deep American voiceover is setting the tone: “We are soccer, football and futbol.”
Wild storm hits New York
Saturday 13 June 2026 00:39 , Will CastleAll eyes are on Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, the newest stadium at this World Cup, for tonight’s American extravaganza.
But let’s cross over to the east coast, where in New York, a typically wild, sudden storm has hit the city.
That highlights one of the big concerns with the city’s venue for this tournament, MetLife Stadium, which has been chosen to host the World Cup final. The issue? It doesn’t have a roof.
That means if lightning strikes within a eight-mile radius of the ground, players and fans will be forced inside with the game at risk of a lengthy delay, akin to that seen during Chelsea vs Benfica at the Club World Cup last year.
This happening in the biggest game of football’s four-year calendar will be disastrous, and it’s anything but out of the question given New York’s susceptibility to these type of weather events.
With its glass roof, maybe SoFi would’ve been the better pick for the final...
Zlatan Ibrahimovic recalls iconic scissor kick goal against England
Saturday 13 June 2026 00:28 , Jack Rathborn“It was a magical moment to be honest, it was crazy, we were already winning 3-2, I didn't need to do it,” Zlatan Ibrahimovic recalls when discussing his iconic scissor kick against England while playing for Sweden.
“If you don't try it, you never know? Even if you fail, you still try, I did something crazy. If you don't succeed, you might look back, think about the team, but you have to try and if you fail, it doesn't matter.”
Fans and players arrive at SoFi Stadium
Saturday 13 June 2026 00:21 , Will Castle
T-minus 15 minutes from opening ceremony
Saturday 13 June 2026 00:17 , Will CastleWe are just 15 minutes away from the start of the USA’s World Cup opening ceremony!
International pop star Katy Perry headlines the spectacle in her home state, joined by rapper Future.
Tyla will also appear at her second ceremony having performed across the border in Mexico, along with Thai-born star Lisa from K-pop band Blackpink, Nigerian artist Rema and Brazilian singer Anitta.
Mexico and Canada have both delivered - will we have saved the best for last?
Star players to watch at World Cup 2026
Saturday 13 June 2026 00:03 , Jack Rathborn"Brazil is the team I looked at when I was young,” Clint Dempsey says. “My player is Vini Jr, especially under Ancelotti, it's yet to translate from club to national team. But you have to put your stamp on a World Cup.”
Landon Donovan adds: “There are certain superstars that become superstars in front of your eyes. Alex Freeman, didn’t play much at Orlando, now in the national team.
“Is he just there because his Dad was Antonio Freeman of the Green Bay Packers, he’s just got to Villarreal, I think he’ll start and become a real star.”
Star players to watch at World Cup 2026
Friday 12 June 2026 23:56 , Jack Rathborn“I'm super excited to watch Yamal,” Zlatan Ibrahimovic says on Fox Sports. “This is a magic player, he changes the game.
“The best is... He's only 18 years old. I'm only afraid of how good he can become. Let's hope he can have a good tournament, let's enjoy him, because there are not a lot of them.”
Thierry Henry adds: “Michael Olise, we can talk about what he’s won, the best player in the Bundesliga, he doesn’t play the game, he thinks the game.
“For a coach he is a drink, he sees the game differently, he will not hide, what he does defensively.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has doubts over England's 'big stars' at World Cup 2026
Friday 12 June 2026 23:47 , Jack Rathborn“Normally they have big stars, but let's see if they have big stars in the big tournament,” Zlatan Ibrahimovic says on Fox Sports.
“Then we have Croatia, I have roots from my mother's side, I am rooting for Modric to star, then we have Ghana, I think they can disturb England. Panama? I think they will be the punching bag of this group."
The unlikely Southampton influence behind Canada’s World Cup lift-off
Friday 12 June 2026 23:39 , Will CastleSouthampton’s public relations department has had a torrid few weeks trying to clean up the internal idiocy of Spygate, but they’re about to get a rare windfall of goodwill from across the Atlantic. Over 3,000 miles west of St Mary’s, Saints have had an inadvertent hand in Canadian history.
Canada are on the board at the World Cup, for the first time ever. They went pointless in Qatar four years ago, just as they did during their World Cup bow at Mexico ‘86. Thanks to Cyle Larin’s late heroics in Toronto, this hoodoo on the biggest stage is over.
One third of a substitute masterclass from manager Jesse Marsch, Larin came off the bench to cancel out Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first-half opener with a stunning half-volley, instinctively striking across the ball to send it swerving past Nikola Vasilj and into the side-netting. It was a goal fitting of its importance in this country’s footballing history.
The unlikely Southampton influence behind Canada’s World Cup lift-off
SoFi Stadium ready for USA opener at World Cup 2026
Friday 12 June 2026 23:31 , Jack Rathborn
Clint Dempsey highlights USA key to beat Paraguay in World Cup opener
Friday 12 June 2026 23:22 , Jack Rathborn“Don't talk about it, be about it,” Clint Dempsey says on Fox Sports.
“This is where money is earned, your legacy, people will remember you for World Cups, it doesn't get any better than that. It was a chippy, hard-fought win, don’t think they will forget.
“The key for the USA tonight is coming up with ideas, opportunities in tight space, play forward quickly.”
Landon Donovan urges USA to seize moment and become 'absolute star'
Friday 12 June 2026 23:14 , Jack Rathborn“The pitch is perfect, this is a rematch, it was chippy, it was feisty,” Landon Donovan says on Fox Sports.
“Mexico set the blueprint, Canada today, but USA need to win today. Don't be too excited or too emotional, you have to play the game and execute.
“There’s pressure, yes, but you can be an absolute star after this tournament.”
Is Donald Trump running scared from his own World Cup?
Friday 12 June 2026 23:01 , Lawrence Ostlere in Los AngelesPerhaps it was just a coincidence, but Donald Trump was loudly booed in his hometown this week when he appeared at the NBA Finals in New York’s Madison Square Garden. He then decided against travelling to Los Angeles for the USA’s first game of the World Cup due to a “tight schedule”, according to the executive director of the White House, Andrew Giuliani.
One can imagine how the LA crowd would have reacted to images of Trump on the monstrous screen that hangs down over the SoFi Stadium. California is Democratic heartland and the noise would have been so undeniably, unavoidably hostile that even Trump would have had trouble denying the truth. The White House will instead send a party from Washington led by secretary of state Mark Rubio.
It is unusual for Trump, who doesn’t usually let a tight schedule get in the way of sports events. He has appeared at the Super Bowl, UFC fights, the Ryder Cup, the Fifa Club World Cup final and the men’s US Open final. Reactions have been mixed: he was booed at a World Series baseball game in 2019 and hit with chants of “Lock him up!”; there was a far warmer reception at the Ryder Cup, where the crowd of American golf fans looked not unlike an NRA convention.
Is Donald Trump running scared from his own World Cup?
Last night: Mexico send Fifa a telling reminder of what the World Cup must never lose
Friday 12 June 2026 22:51 , Ed Malyon in Mexico CityThe World Cup got underway in frantic fashion last night as Mexico City beat South Africa at the Azteca - here’s Ed Malyon’s report:
If we are honest, as football fans, we needed this.
We needed an end to the gouging and the politicking and the shambles, to the power games and the bad faith actions of those who run the show.
What we needed was the show.
Thankfully that show has now begun and with the arrival of football the conversations can change a little.
Are Mexico contenders to win it all? No, not on this performance. And yet we can confidently say they will have the greatest home advantage of any team playing at this World Cup, not just because they have easily the most fervent support of the three co-hosts, but also the altitude and potentially the heat, which could benefit them against visitors to this beautifully chaotic, football-mad country.
Mexico send Fifa a telling reminder of what the World Cup must never lose
Predicted line-ups
Friday 12 June 2026 22:41 , Will CastleUSA XI: Freese, Freeman, M. Robinson, Ream, A. Robinson, Dest, Adams, McKennie, Tillman, Pulisic, Balogun
Paraguay XI: Gill, Caceres, G. Gomez, Alderete, Alonso, D. Gomez, Bobadilla, Cubas, Almiron, D. Gonzalez, Sanabria
Team news
Friday 12 June 2026 22:31 , Will CastleChris Richards is the main concern for Pochettino, with the Crystal Palace defender having only recently returned to training following an ankle injury.
Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun are expected to headline the attack.
Paraguay’s Julio Enciso picked up a quad issue in a 4-0 friendly win over Nicaragua but is expected to recover in time to feature.
When is USA vs Paraguay?
Friday 12 June 2026 22:21 , Will CastleWe’ll of course be bringing you all the action from the United States’ World Cup opener after the opening ceremony.
The US begin their campaign against Paraguay, with kick-off at 9pm ET and 6pm PT on Friday 12 June (2am BST on Saturday 13) at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
Why won't Donald Trump be at the game?
Friday 12 June 2026 22:11 , Lawrence OstlereDonald Trump will be absent from the Los Angeles Stadium when USA begin their 2026 World Cup against Paraguay tonight, it has been confirmed.
State figureheads usually appear at their country’s first match of the tournament and Trump was expected to be in the stands. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attended Qatar’s opening game against Ecuador in 2022, and Vladimir Putin watched Russia’s first game of the 2018 World Cup against Saudi Arabia in Moscow.
But the US president will not attend instead leaving secretary of state Mark Rubio to travel from Washington with transport secretary Sean Duffy and secretary of homeland security Markwayne Mullin.
Andrew Giuliani, the World Cup task force’s CEO, has confirmed Trump’s plans. “He’s not going to end up attending the opening game,” Giuliani told TalkSport. “As we’ve said, his scheduling is tight. But I know he’s going to be engaged throughout this World Cup.
“But the one thing, having known President Trump for now 30 years, what I can tell you is: expect the unexpected. Always expect a cliffhanger with him. Throughout the course of this tournament, it wouldn’t surprise me if we see him engage more and more with the World Cup.”
Full story:
Why Trump will snub USA’s World Cup game – and the one sporting event he will attend
Canada get World Cup lift-off after late Larin equaliser
Friday 12 June 2026 22:09 , Will CastleWith the US still to come, Canada are off the mark!
Co-hosts Canada have World Cup 2026 lift-off after hitting back against Bosnia and Herzogovina in a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Toronto.
Following a star-studded opening ceremony, including Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette, Jesse Marsch’s side fell behind thanks to a first-half header from Jovo Lukic.
But Cyle Larin came off the bench to equalise with a fantastic half-volley in the latter stages before late pressure almost forced a famous comeback victory.
After decades trying to win the World Cup, shouldn’t the USA be better at football by now?
Friday 12 June 2026 22:01 , Lawrence Ostlere in Los AngelesBefore the 1994 World Cup, the American columnist Tom Weir wrote a withering assessment of the sport his country was about to host. “Hating soccer,” he said in USA Today, “is more American than mom’s apple pie, driving a pick-up or spending Saturday afternoon channel-surfing with the remote control.”
Not everyone shared Weir’s disdain, given record attendances at USA ‘94. But even today there remains a lingering perspective, mainly among conservative men of a certain age, that soccer is a sport for girls and sissy boys who dive to the floor on first contact, whereas real American sports involve tough guys running, jumping or, in Nascar’s case, driving into one another.
It is a tired old trope that you don’t tend to find around the rest of the world, and it begins to explain America’s challenge in building a men’s team to match their women and win the World Cup.
After decades trying to win the World Cup, why aren’t USA any better at football?
Will we get another Diana Ross moment?
Friday 12 June 2026 21:51 , Will CastleThe US has a history of memorable moments when it comes to World Cup opening ceremonies, with Diana Ross's missed penalty ahead of the 1994 World Cup in Chicago going down in hilarious infamy.
Will Katy Perry top this, maybe by leathering one into the back of a steward? Probably not, but a man can dream.
🇺🇸 #OnThisDay in 1994: Diana Ross kicked off the 1994 World Cup in Chicago.
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) June 17, 2024
Shocking run-up for the penalty, to be fair. 🤦♂️pic.twitter.com/ny9IFWHOp6
Who is performing?
Friday 12 June 2026 21:41 , Will CastleInternational pop star Katy Perry will headline in her home state, joined by rapper Future.
Tyla will also appear at her second ceremony having performed across the border in Mexico, along with Thai-born star Lisa from K-pop band Blackpink, Nigerian artist Rema and Brazilian singer Anitta.
How can I watch the opening ceremony and USA vs Paraguay?
Friday 12 June 2026 21:36 , Will CastleViewers in the UK can watch the game for free on BBC One or stream it live on BBC iPlayer.
Viewers in the US can watch the game on FOX and Tubi, while a Spanish-language broadcast will be available on Telemundo.
When is the USA's opening ceremony?
Friday 12 June 2026 21:31 , Will CastleThe United States will put on the third and final World Cup opening ceremony tonight, hoping to upstage Canada and Mexico by saving the best ‘til last.
It will get starts 12:30am BST on Saturday 13 June (i.e. tonight) at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles - the newest stadium being used at this summer’s tournament.
World Cup 2026 USA opening ceremony LIVE!
Friday 12 June 2026 21:26 , Will CastleThe USA’s World Cup 2026 will be kicked off in spectacular fashion following performances from Katy Perry and Future as the tournament co-hosts play Paraguay in their opening match of the tournament in Los Angeles.
Pop star Perry will be headlined the opening show in California, bringing down the curtain on the festivities after Shakira performance in Mexico City and Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette took to the stage before Canada’s first match.
The USA, managed by former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, will be expected to advance from a group that features tonight’s opponents Paraguay as well as Australia and Turkey, with an eye on progressing further too.
President Donald Trump will be notable by his absence at the SoFi Stadium, ahead of his 80th birthday celebrations in Washington this weekend, while empty seats and the World Cup’s mandatory drinks breaks have been controversial aspects of the tournament so far.
Good evening!
Friday 12 June 2026 20:20 , Will CastleHello there and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the United States’ World Cup opening ceremony ahead of the host nation’s curtain-raiser with Paraguay!
We’ll bring you all the latest from the extravaganza at SoFi Stadium, which will be headlined by Future and Katy Perry, before sinking our teeth into some proper World Cup action.
Stay tuned!
