LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Men's National Team is preparing for its remaining group stage matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after opening the tournament with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium.
The win, featuring goals from Folarin Balogun (two), an own goal by Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla and a late strike by Giovanni Reyna, positioned the United States strongly in Group D alongside Australia and Türkiye, according to match reports and FIFA updates. Coach Mauricio Pochettino's squad now turns its focus to the June 19 encounter against Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle.
The U.S. team conducted training sessions in the Irvine area leading into the tournament and has emphasized home advantage across the co-hosting venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The squad includes a roster of 26 players selected for the competition, with several key performers stepping up in the opener.
Group D standings after the first round of matches will influence qualification for the round of 32, with the top two teams advancing directly and third-place sides having a chance depending on overall results. The United States faces Türkiye on June 25 back at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
Pochettino expressed satisfaction with the initial performance while stressing the need for continued focus. "I have no doubt that we could potentially win," he said regarding the team's ambitions, according to reports.
The tournament's expanded 48-team format has increased the number of group stage games, allowing more opportunities for progression. The U.S. opened with strong fan support at SoFi Stadium, where attendance reached approximately 70,000.
Preparations include recovery from the opening match, tactical adjustments and managing player fitness amid a tight schedule. Additional training sessions are planned in the coming days as the team travels to the Pacific Northwest for the Australia fixture.
The U.S. last hosted significant World Cup matches in 1994 and returns as a co-host for the first time in a three-nation arrangement. Performance in the group stage will determine whether the team advances further in the knockout rounds beginning June 28.
Further updates on lineups and team news are expected ahead of the June 19 match, with the full group stage concluding by late June.
