World Cup 2026: USA’s opening ceremony and dominant victory – in pictures
All the action from Los Angeles Stadium where the final opening ceremony preceded the USMNT’s resounding victory over Paraguay in Group D
Photograph: Étienne Laurent/AFP/Getty Images
Guardian sport
Fri 12 Jun 2026 23.31 EDT
Fans of both USA and Paraguay take a bus from the LAX/Metro station to the stadium in Inglewood.
Photograph: Étienne Laurent/AFP/Getty Images
Expectant USA fans begin to arrive at the ground.
Photograph: Matt McNulty/Fifa/Getty Images
A group of USA fans come dressed as the Count of Monte Fisto (aka Apollo Creed in Rocky IV) as the opening ceremony continues.
Photograph: Jose Breton/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Rema, Lisa and Anitta perform during the opening ceremony.
Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters
A USA fan checks their phone during the exciting opening ceremony.
Photograph: Christopher Torres/EPA
Who doesn’t love three opening ceremonies?
Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters
A USA fan up high in the stands before kick-off.
Photograph: Étienne Laurent/AFP/Getty Images
Lisa, from K-pop supergroup Blackpink, performs.
Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP
Fans clamour for photos as David Beckham and Tom Cruise sign autographs in the stands.
Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Rapper Future performs along with South African singer Tyla during the opening ceremony.
Photograph: Patrick T Fallon/AFP/Getty Images
Part-time astronaut and full-time pop star Katy Perry performs with Norwegian singer Tius Luka.
Photograph: Mark J Terrill/AP
The teams line up for the national anthems before kick-off.
Photograph: Matt McNulty/Fifa/Getty Images
Here we go in LA.
Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters
Damián Bobadilla reacts after scoring an own goal as the USA take an early lead.
Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie celebrate the opening goal.
Photograph: Matt McNulty/Fifa/Getty Images
Supporters at the fan park in Houston celebrate the opening goal.
Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters
Former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun deservedly doubles the lead for the USA.
Photograph: Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images/Reuters
Balogun celebrates with the bench after scoring the second goal.
Photograph: John Dorton/USSF
Tyler Adams in action with Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón.
Photograph: Daniel Cole/Reuters
Balogun celebrates scoring a sensational third goal on the stroke of half-time.
Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters
It’s party time in the USA as the crowd watch at the fan zone on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Photograph: Will Oliver/EPA
Gio Reyna scores a fourth goal in the final minute, giving the USA their biggest win at a World Cup since 1930.
Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Explore more on these topics: World Cup 2026, World Cup, USA, Paraguay, Los Angeles, Photography, US sports
