Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT make history: 2026 World Cup debut tops all-time biggest wins list

Manager Mauricio Pochettino could not have possibly imagined a better start for the USMNT. In their first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, on home soil at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States trounced Paraguay 4-1 in a result not many expected. It was a complete performance, featuring a brace from Folarin Balogun and a world-class goal from Gio Reyna to end the match.

While it’s only one game in a long tournament, it was a statement made by the USMNT. Despite having very talented players, many of which play in top European leagues, the team hadn’t always meshed perfectly since Pochettino took over near the end of 2024. Now, everything is in play going forward, but for now the team can say they made history for the country.

USMNT had never scored four goals in a World Cup match until 2026

The USMNT’s 4-1 win over Paraguay was historic in a couple of ways. Firstly, it tied the biggest win for the U.S. in a World Cup. They had won by three goals on only two other occasions, but it’s been nearly a century since those victories. Funnily enough, one of those wins was over Paraguay, as well.

• 2026 FIFA World Cup: 4-1 win over Paraguay
• 1930 FIFA World Cup: 3-0 win over Belgium
• 1930 FIFA World Cup: 3-0 win over Paraguay

Despite only tying for the biggest win in USMNT history, Pochettino’s team can say they’re the only United States squad to score four goals in a World Cup game.

Up next will be  match against Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle, followed by the group closer against Turkey back at SoFi Stadium.