Trump Backs USA to Win 2026 World Cup as Balogun’s Brace Breaks 96-Year American Record in 4-1 Rout of Paraguay

US President Donald Trump has publicly declared his belief that the United States Men’s National Team will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, placing the full weight of his endorsement on co-hosts ahead of what proved to be a commanding tournament opener.

Trump contacted USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino by phone prior to the United States’ Group D opener against Paraguay on 13 June 2026, conveying his support in direct terms. BBC Sport reported the contents of the call, in which Trump told the Argentine manager: “Well, I just got to say you’re a fantastic guy, a fantastic coach, and you’re all about your record and your success, and I know how great the players are. I think you’ve got a really good chance of going all the way. I just want to wish you a lot of luck.”

Pochettino, whose managerial career has included spells at Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, received the presidential message warmly. The call arrived at a significant moment, with the USMNT under considerable pressure as a co-host nation expected to perform deep into the tournament.

On the pitch, striker Folarin Balogun provided the most emphatic possible response to those expectations. The forward scored twice in the first half, a brace that, according to reports, shattered a 96-year-old American scoring record. Balogun’s contribution formed the foundation of a 4-1 victory, with Paraguay’s Damián Bobadilla also deflecting the ball into his own net and Gio Reyna adding a late fourth to complete the scoreline.

The result places the United States among the early frontrunners in tournament discussions, though significant competition remains. Spain, France, England, Brazil, and Argentina are all widely regarded as favourites for the title, meaning Trump’s prediction of an outright American victory represents an ambitious forecast by any measure.

Among the other co-hosts, early performances have been mixed. Mexico opened their campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa, while Canada were held to a draw by Bosnia and Herzegovina — a result that will have done little to settle nerves among the Canadian camp.

The USMNT will look to build on their opening result when they face Australia and Turkey in their remaining Group D fixtures. A second consecutive convincing performance would firmly establish the United States as genuine contenders rather than merely credible hosts.

Balogun, who is of Nigerian heritage, has become a focal point of Pochettino’s attacking setup, and his record-breaking display against Paraguay is likely to intensify scrutiny — and expectation — ahead of those upcoming matches. His performance is already generating significant attention within African football circles given his dual heritage background.

For Pochettino, managing a host nation at a World Cup carries unique pressure, with domestic expectations amplified by political and public attention of the kind demonstrated by Trump’s personal call. The 4-1 opening result, at minimum, provides a degree of breathing room as the group stage progresses.