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U.S. Defeats Paraguay 4-1; Ream Sets Age Record

6/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The United States defeated Paraguay 4-1 in its 2026 World Cup opener on June 14, 2026.
Captain Tim Ream, aged 38 years 250 days, became the oldest U.S. World Cup player and recorded 23 line-breaking passes.
Striker Folarin Balogun scored two first-half goals, raising his Golden Boot odds to +1600.
Australia’s 2-0 win over Turkey in Vancouver sets up a Friday clash with the United States.

History

Historical Context

In 1994 the United States hosted the World Cup, becoming the first Anglophone host and drawing a record 3,587,538 spectators across nine venues. That breakthrough introduced indoor matches and expanded TV coverage, laying groundwork for today’s tournament. In the 2026 opener, 38-year-old defender Tim Ream set an age record while forward Folarin Balogun scored twice, echoing the U.S.’s rising competitiveness.

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Story summary

The United States defeated Paraguay 4-1 in its 2026 World Cup opener on June 14, 2026.
Captain Tim Ream, aged 38 years 250 days, became the oldest U.S. World Cup player and recorded 23 line-breaking passes.
Striker Folarin Balogun scored two first-half goals, raising his Golden Boot odds to +1600.
Australia’s 2-0 win over Turkey in Vancouver sets up a Friday clash with the United States.

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