USA start World Cup in style - but can they finally join the elite?

Balogun gets his second and USA's third against Paraguay

If there were any doubts that the USA were ready to live up to the pressure of being one of the hosts of the 2026 World Cup, those were dispelled in 45 brilliant minutes against Paraguay on Saturday.

Following a glitzy build-up which featured a performance from Katy Perry, watched on by Hollywood A-listers like Tom Cruise in the stands and with thousands of fans decked out the stars and stripes, they would have been forgiven for wilting under the pressure.

Instead they stepped up as three goals in a whirlwind first half before a sublime fourth by Gio Reyna in stoppage time secured a 4-1 win to ensure a perfect start in Group D.

But even before this display there were some who had recognised the potential a USA side who have developed significantly under ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino over the last 20 months.

Former USA goalkeeper Tony Meola is one pundit who has suggested they are now on their way to being able to rub shoulders with football's elite.

"Now we are so much more established," said Meola, who was part of the US squad at the 1990, 1994 and 2002 World Cups.

"We have players playing all round the world, we have an incredible league and have facilities the world is using right now. Those were a pipe dream a few years ago now we are a football nation."

This was the first time since 1930 that the USA has won a World Cup game by three goals and it is a result that may well make other teams at this tournament sit up and notice.

"USA were unbelievable," England great Ellen White said on BBC Match of the Day.

"You talk about pressure but they grasped at it, they enjoyed it. They probably shocked the world with that performance."

USA scored three goals in a dominant first half

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Pochettino will be the first to point out that nothing has been won yet, but the Argentine manager will know that a start like this was absolutely pivotal for building both belief and momentum.

Prior to their opener it felt like Americans were largely indifferent about their country hosting a World Cup - in Los Angeles, the city where the USA played their opener, it was easy to be unaware that a major tournament was about to take place.

But that all changed on Friday as USA shirts dominated on the metro and in bars and coffee shops in the hours before kick-off.

A failure to win this and that passion and enthusiasm could have quickly been sapped, but instead it will likely be enhanced before their remaining two group games against Turkey and Australia.

Their dominance in the first half was highlighted by the fact they had 71% possession.

"They look a really dangerous team, they look fit, they look sharp, they look hungry," ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy said on BBC Match of the Day following the USA's excellent first-half performance.

"When you are playing well the crowd get behind you. This is an intimidating stadium when the majority of the crowd are for you, that's for sure."

Katy Perry, Tyla & Future among performers at USA's opening ceremony

Pochettino became USA boss in September 2024

Pochettino was appointed USA coach 20 months ago, tasked with transforming a team that was often capable of getting out of the group stage but almost never any further than that.