FIFA World Cup 2026 Viral Video: Watch how Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla gifted own goal to USA in their tournament opener

FIFA World Cup 2026 USA vs Paraguay: The FIFA World Cup arrived in the United States on Friday with a star-studded opening ceremony, setting the stage for the tournament's third co-hosts to begin their campaign against Paraguay in Los Angeles. The hosts could not have asked for a better start, as they took the lead in less than 10 minutes, and it wasn't a US player who found the back of the net.

The breakthrough came in the seventh minute when Paraguay's Damián Bobadilla inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing the United States a 1-0 advantage.




The own goal marked the third-earliest goal in USMNT World Cup history and was the result of an impressive move involving Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic.

Buoyed by the early lead, the United States remained firmly in control for the rest of the first half. Folarin Balogun struck twice before the interval, including a goal with the final kick of the opening period, to send the USMNT into halftime with a commanding 3-0 lead. Balogun's first goal came from a short delivery by Pulisic. Pulisic was offside in the buildup, so Balogun's earlier goal was disallowed.