Sports

Folarin Balogun's Dominant World Cup Debut Revives Team USA's Hope For Deep Run

By Tim Heaney Lindys Sports

Updated June 13, 2026 7:29 AM

Before the start of the 2026 World Cup, many pundits declared that a successful United States performance would involve them reaching the quarterfinal of the Knockout round.

Following FIFA's 17th-ranked squad might've earned more believers that they will win at least a few more games while serving as tournament co-hosts.

USMNT's 4-1 win over Paraguay in Friday's Group D opener was driven by two first-half goals from up-and-coming striker Falorin Balogun in his first-ever World Cup match.

This win was hardly surprising: FIFA's 17th-ranked club was expected to defeat No. 38.

However, by watching highlight-reel goals from a dynamic young player, many fans who are rediscovering soccer decades after the last time the United States hosted in 1994 may blindly regain confidence that their native team can make a run.

Where does Team USA stand in Group D after this victory? Scroll to find out what this 4-1 win means for their forecast. (Keep track of Lindy's Sports news throughout the tournament.)

June 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, U.S.; Folarin Balogun of the U.S. scores their second goal. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Falorin Balogun makes USMNT history in win over Paraguay

Balogun became the first American to score a brace (two goals) in a World Cup game since 1930, when Bert Patenaude deposited a hat trick.

He didn't just pick out the corner, he picked out the TOP CORNER

BALOGUN BAGS A FIRST-HALF BRACE pic.twitter.com/JQVCRkJw7y
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 13, 2026

The previous goal came after another would-be tally was erased by an offside:

Flo Balogun was not going to be denied tonight pic.twitter.com/mpnmNQNGK8
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 13, 2026

Born in Brooklyn, NY, but growing up in London, Balogun elected to use his US citizenship and join that squad in 2023 ahead of the 2024 Copa America..

The 24-year-old, who ranked fourth in France's Ligue 1 this past season with 13 goals for AS Monaco, gives Team USA an emphatic, dynamic finisher up front to complement Pulisic's technical prowess.

What's the latest news on Christian Pulisic's injury?

Balogun's up-front partner and USMNT star Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) was kicked in the calf during the first half and was subbed off.

In a postgame update, Pochettino said Pulisic is expected to be up for USMNT's second Group D clash next Friday against Australia. This move likely was a precaution given the score in the first of three Group D matches.

June 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, U.S.; Christian Pulisic of the U.S. celebrates with teammates their first goal, an own goal scored by Paraguay's Damian Bobadilla. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

USA 4:1 Paraguay goals recap

USA 1:0 Paraguay: Own goal by Damián Bobadilla (7')
USA 2:0 Paraguay: Folarin Bolagun (31')
USA 3:0 Paraguay: Folarin Bolagun (45 +5')
USA 3:1 Paraguay: Mauricio (73')
USA 4:1 Paraguay: Gio Reyna (90 +8')

USA vs. Paraguay match notes

Even with Balogun stealing the show, versatile midfielder Weston McKinnie's pivot role in Pochettino's 3-5-2 transition attack may prove to be the biggest nuts-and-bolts upgrade for Team USA by World Cup's end.
Gio Reyna planted one into the back of the net during extra time -- an intriguing development given his scandalous clash with former manager Gregg Berhalter. Pochettino likely values Reyna as a late-match goal threat with situational utility.
Especially because the three-goal margin helps their goal differential, USMNT stands at a 97% chance to advance out of Group D, per simulations from The New York Times.

Group D World Cup table standings

As of Friday, June 12, at 11 p.m. ET:


Group D	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
United States	1	1	0	0	4	1	+3	3
Türkiye	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Australia	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Paraguay	1	0	0	1	1	4	-3	0

This group was all but drawn for USA to advance: They're not gimmes, but Türkiye (FIFA No. 23) and Australia (27) are winnable matchups.

Taking one of those two games might prove to be sufficient to advance, though USA would likely prefer to win Group D outright and face a third-place team from Group B, E, F, I, or J in the Round of 32.

USA Group D schedule

Friday, June 12: USA 4:1 Paraguay (Los Angeles Stadium)

Friday, June 19: USA vs. Australia, 3 p.m. ET (Seattle Stadium, FOX Sports/FOX One App)

Thursday, June 25: Türkiye vs. USA, 10 p.m. ET (Los Angeles Stadium, FOX Sports/FOX One App)

This story was originally published June 13, 2026 at 7:17 AM.