RismadarVoice Reporters, June 13, 2026
Folarin Balogun delivered a memorable performance in the United States’ opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring twice in a convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay and reinforcing the value of his decision to represent the American national team.
The striker, who was born in Brooklyn but spent most of his life in England, chose to commit his international future to the United States in 2023 despite interest from England. Three years later, he has already become one of the standout figures of the tournament.
Speaking after the match in Inglewood, California, Balogun described the occasion as a dream come true after helping the U.S. begin its World Cup campaign impressively.
His first goal came shortly after Paraguay’s own goal had given the Americans an early advantage. Balogun doubled the lead with a clinical finish from a Christian Pulisic assist, putting the U.S. firmly in control.
The forward struck again just before halftime, producing an individual moment of brilliance. After receiving the ball outside the penalty area, he manoeuvred past defenders before firing a powerful shot into the net to make it 3-0.
The performance earned him a standing ovation when he left the pitch in the 71st minute. His two-goal display also secured a place in U.S. soccer history, making him the first American player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1930.
Balogun said the unwavering support from American fans played a major role in his decision to join the U.S. national team and motivated him to repay that faith on football’s biggest stage.
Team captain Christian Pulisic praised the striker’s impact, describing him as a lethal finisher and a valuable asset to the squad. Beyond the goals, Pulisic highlighted Balogun’s physical presence, work rate and ability to hold up play against Paraguay’s defenders.
While Balogun stole the spotlight, other American stars also made important contributions. Pulisic orchestrated several attacking moves before being substituted at halftime, while Gio Reyna added the fourth goal late in the match to complete the dominant victory.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino commended the collective effort of his players, emphasising that the result reflected the quality and unity of the entire team.
The United States will now travel to Seattle for its second Group D match against Australia before returning to Los Angeles to face Turkey. The top two teams in the group will advance to the knockout stage.
Despite the excitement surrounding his World Cup breakthrough, Balogun appeared relaxed about the celebrations ahead. Asked how he planned to spend the rest of the evening after his historic performance, the striker smiled and said he would likely unwind by watching Netflix.
The victory has given the Americans an ideal start to their World Cup journey and provided further evidence that Balogun’s decision to represent the United States is already paying significant dividends.
