The United States could scarcely have scripted a better start to their World Cup as a Folarin Balogun brace and Gio Reyna curler fired the co-hosts to a 4-1 drubbing of Paraguay in front of Hollywood royalty in Los Angeles on Friday.

The hosts took the lead in the tournament’s first game on US soil within seven minutes thanks to an own goal, and by the end of an utterly dominant half the home fans were in dreamland, their side up by three.

Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio and Paris Hilton were among a sold-out 70,492 crowd as the US – co-hosting the tournament with Mexico and Canada – piled wave after wave of attacks on the South Americans, with Reyna polishing off the win late in stoppage time after Maurício had pulled one back.

The win and emphatic scoreline puts the US in a favourable position already to progress from Group D, which also contains Australia and Turkey.

The night’s only potential sour note was the half-time withdrawal of Christian Pulisic, the US attacking talisman who is carrying the hopes of the nation as they attempt a deep run into the World Cup knockouts for the first time since their quarter-final appearance in 2002.

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Paraguay could not have been more obliging guests from kick-off. In the seventh minute, Weston McKennie picked up the ball in the centre circle and drove upfield, finding Pulisic.

Pulisic darted between two defenders and returned the ball to McKennie, whose pass to striker Balogun was bundled into his own net by a hapless Damian Bobadilla.

The stadium erupted, and a US onslaught began.

The hosts oozed confidence. Both McKennie and Tillman played backheel through balls into the area, while captain Tim Ream sprayed out passes from the heart of defence.

Balogun had a goal ruled out in the 28th minute. He had strayed offside, as had Pulisic in the build-up.

But the Monaco striker had the ball in the net again three minutes later, thanks to a superb ball down the left flank by Antonee Robinson to Pulisic, whose cross to Balogun took a slight fortuitous deflection.

The US added a third on the cusp of half-time. Tillman found Balogun down the right, who evaded Omar Alderete’s challenge, skipped inside Gustavo Gomez and curled his shot perfectly into the top left corner.

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It could have been four or five, with Chris Richards – returning from injury – flashing a header barely an inch wide. The US had 75 per cent possession in the first half.

Now without Pulisic, the hosts sat back slightly in the second half.

Paraguay finally offered a threat. Their dangerous forward Julio Enciso, who started despite a hamstring injury, picked up the ball on the edge of the area and fed in Brazil-born substitute Maurício, who pulled one back.

Reyna scored a superb fourth with the outside of his right foot that curled just inside the far post.

The game had been preceded by a Tinseltown-style opening ceremony. Katy Perry delivered the headline performance, accompanied by singers Future, Tyla, Anitta and K-pop star Lisa.

Performers danced around a giant World Cup trophy beneath enormous “FIFA” letters in the gold favoured by US President Donald Trump – who did not attend, instead wishing the team luck via phone before kick-off.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

The latest episode of WWE SmackDown was a heartbreaking show for LA Knight fans. The Megastar competed in a Fatal Four-Way first-round match for King of the Ring 2026.

Despite all attempts and fans’ support, the former United States Champion failed to win. Instead, Jey Uso pinned Knight and secured the victory. Many are surprised by this outcome, particularly when WWE teased LA Knight vs Roman Reigns multiple times on Monday Night RAW.

In this article, we will discuss three reasons why the Megastar is out of the 2026 King of the Ring tournament.

#4. Triple H has given up on him

One of the major reasons why LA Knight lost the King of the Ring first-round match could be due to Triple H giving up on him. The Game is WWE’s present Chief Content Officer and makes all the significant decisions.

So, this makes sense to say that Triple H might have given up on the former US Champion. As a result, he lost the KOTR match and didn’t advance to the semi-finals.

LA Knight winning the King of the Ring tournament and facing Roman Reigns at SummerSlam 2026 for the World Heavyweight Championship was a perfect match. This is especially true when both stars had a heated history in the company, and the Megastar still has issues with the Bloodline.

Despite all the efforts, Triple H decided not to give LA Knight a victory, which implies something serious is wrong with his booking. Also, Knight got pinned in the match by Jey Uso. With all these factors, it’s evident that the CCO has no interest in pushing the 43-year-old star.

#3. WWE is not running back LA Knight vs. Roman Reigns

LA Knight locked horns with Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel 2023 for the Universal Championship. The Megastar lost the match and failed to dethrone the Original Tribal Chief.

With Knight losing the King of the Ring tournament first-round match, it seems that the Triple H-led creative regime doesn’t want to run Knight vs Reigns again in the company.

This contributes to another possible explanation why LA Knight is out of the King of the Ring tournament.

#2. To set up his heel turn

Over the past few months, LA Knight has failed to secure any big victories in WWE. It’s been a long time since the Megastar won any Championship in World Wrestling Entertainment.

His failure to advance in the King of the Ring tournament could be a strategic move by WWE to set up his heel turn. Knight could be frustrated with his losses and may decide to switch characters.

A villainous version of the beloved WWE star could be more ruthless and help him to emerge victorious in significant matches. So, turning LA Knight into a heel might be a probable reason why he failed to win the King of the Ring tournament first-round match on SmackDown.

#1. Triple H might have different plans for LA Knight at SummerSlam 2026

There is also a chance that the company might be saving Roman Reigns vs LA Knight rematch for later and has different plans for this year’s Biggest Party of the Summer.

Though Knight got pinned on SmackDown, he is still likely to be part of SummerSlam 2026. If Knight had qualified for the semi-finals and won the tournament, he would have faced Roman Reigns.

However, Triple H might have intentionally booked him to lose on WWE SmackDown to execute the planned direction for the 43-year-old star.