2026 FIFA World Cup: USA Humble Paraguay, Canada Struggle Against Bosnia

The United States kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in style with a commanding 4-1 win over Paraguay, while fellow co-hosts Canada had to settle for a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In Los Angeles, former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun produced a standout display, scoring twice as the Americans made an emphatic start to life in Group D.

The hosts needed only seven minutes to take the lead when Paraguay midfielder Damian Bobadilla turned Weston McKennie’s cutback into his own net after excellent work from Christian Pulisic.

Balogun thought he had doubled the advantage midway through the first half, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside. The Monaco forward was not to be denied for long, however, firing home from a Pulisic pass three minutes later to put the United States firmly in control.

The striker struck again before the break, latching onto a through ball from Malik Tillman, shrugging off a challenge from Omar Alderete and curling a fine finish into the top corner beyond goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

Paraguay briefly threatened a comeback after the half-time break when Brazilian-born Mauricio converted after being set up by former Brighton attacker Julio Enciso. But any hopes of a revival were ended with the final kick of the match as substitute Giovanni Reyna produced a stunning 20-yard effort with the outside of his right foot to seal a memorable win.

Balogun’s brace made him only the second American player to score more than once in a World Cup match, following Bert Patenaude, who achieved the feat during the inaugural tournament in 1930. The result also matched the United States’ biggest-ever World Cup victory margin.

Meanwhile, Canada avoided defeat at the World Cup for the first time in their history after fighting back to earn a draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto.

Bosnia took the lead in the 21st minute when Jovo Lukic headed home his first international goal after Sead Kolasinac flicked on Ivan Basic’s corner.

Canada pushed for a response and came close shortly after the restart. Richie Laryea’s effort appeared destined for the net before Kolasinac produced a superb goal-line intervention, diverting the ball onto the crossbar and away from danger.

The hosts continued to press and were denied again when Nikola Katic cleared Tani Oluwaseyi’s goal-bound header off the line.

Their persistence eventually paid off in the 78th minute. Substitute Cyle Larin, who had been on the pitch for little more than two minutes, spun brilliantly away from Tarik Muharemovic before firing beyond Nikola Vasilj, with a slight deflection helping the ball into the net.

The equaliser ensured Canada claimed their first-ever World Cup point, ending a run of defeats that stretched across their appearances in 1986 and 2022.