Group D: United States 4-1 Paraguay

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

Group D: United States 4-1 Paraguay

Inglewood: The United States could scarcely have scripted a better start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign as a Folarin Balogun brace and Gio Reyna curler fired the co-hosts to a 4-1 drubbing of Paraguay in Los Angeles on Friday.

The hosts took the lead in the tournament's first game on US soil within seven minutes thanks to an own goal, and by the end of an utterly dominant half the home fans were in dreamland, their side up by three.

Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Paris Hilton were among a sold-out 70,492 crowd as the US piled wave after wave of attacks on the South Americans, with Reyna polishing off the win late in stoppage time after Mauricio had pulled one back.

The win and emphatic scoreline puts the US in a favourable position already to progress from Group D, which also contains Australia and Turkey.

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Preview - Group D: Australia v Turkiye

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group D: Australia v Turkiye

Vancouver: Australia will be striving for a winning start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign when they face Turkiye in Group D on Saturday.

The Socceroos return to the global stage looking to build on their impressive run to the Round of 16 in Qatar four years ago, where they pushed eventual champions Argentina before bowing out 2-1.

Preview - Group B: Qatar v Switzerland

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

Preview - Group B: Qatar v Switzerland

California: Qatar will be aiming to add a winning chapter to their FIFA World Cup history when they kick off their 2026 campaign against Switzerland in Group B on Saturday.

The two-time AFC Asian Cup™ champions endured a difficult debut in 2022, becoming the first host nation to lose their opening match and exiting the tournament without a point. 

Aguirre says Mexico beat cramps and stage fright in opener

Fri, 12 Jun, 2026

Aguirre says Mexico beat cramps and stage fright in opener

Mexico City: Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre revealed his team had overcome a bout of stage fright before clinching their first victory in a FIFA World Cup opener with a 2-0 defeat of South Africa on Thursday.

Mexico had never won their opening FIFA World Cup match in seven attempts, registering five defeats and two draws during their previous appearances at the tournament.

But Aguirre’s side were always in control against a poor South African team at the Estadio Azteca and bagged three points that puts them firmly on course for the knockout rounds from Group A.

Ancelotti warns Brazil can compete with anyone

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

Ancelotti warns Brazil can compete with anyone

East Rutherford: Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday that the five-time FIFA World Cup winners have a team capable of competing with the very best, as they bid to end a 24-year wait for another global crown.

After winning five UEFA Champions League titles as a club coach, the Italian will make his managerial debut in the sport's biggest tournament at the helm of a Brazil side that has not lifted the trophy since 2002.

McTominay 'ready to go' for Scotland

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

McTominay 'ready to go' for Scotland

Foxborough: Scotland star Scott McTominay is ready for the team's opening FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Haiti on Saturday after overcoming a stomach bug, head coach Steve Clarke has said.

"He is perfect and ready to go," Clarke said when asked about the fitness of the Napoli man, Scotland's star player.