World Cup 2026: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood hosts first match on US soil in 32 years

Last updated: Saturday, June 13, 2026 6:46AM GMT
Fans across SoCal go wild for Team USA's World Cup victory

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway, and Southern California gets to see a piece of the action during the supersized tournament.

The U.S. will host 78 matches, eight of which will take place at Inglewood's SoFi Stadium. The venue will be known as Los Angeles Stadium for the duration of the tournament.

Team USA beat Paraguay 4-1 for its opening match at SoFi Stadium on Friday night in front of a crowd of thousands of Southern California fans.

We're bringing you live updates and everything you need to know.

KABC logo
Jun 11, 2026, 7:37 PM

World Cup watch parties in SoCal

If you don't have the opportunity to attend one of the World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium, there are still plenty of ways to take part.

We've compiled a list of Southern California watch parties, official fan festivals and things to know before the tournament gets underway.

Organizers of the FIFA Fan Festival Los Angeles offered a first look at the four-day World Cup fan experience planned at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum ahead of its opening.
KABC logo
Jun 12, 2026, 10:42 PM GMT

What FIFA World Cup matches will take place in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles will host eight World Cup games at Sofi Stadium, which will be known as Los Angeles Stadium for the duration of the tournament.

Match 4 - June 12 at 6:00 PM, USA vs PAR (Group D)

Match 15 - June 15 at 6:00 PM, IRN vs NZL (Group G)

Match 26 - June 18 at 12:00 PM, SUI vs ITA/NIR/WAL/BIH* (Group B)

Match 39 - June 21 at 12:00 PM, BEL vs IRN (Group G)

Match 59 - June 25 at 7:00 PM, TUR/ROU/SVK/KOS* vs USA (Group D)

Match 73 - June 28 at 12:00 PM, Round of 32

Match 84 - July 2 at 12:00 PM, Round of 32

Match 98 - July 10 at 12:00 PM, Quarter-Finals

The World Cup craze is sweeping across Southern California, and it's about to get even more exciting when Team USA takes the field at SoFi Stadium.
ByESPN and AP
3:18 AM GMT

US opens its home World Cup with a dynamic 4-1 victory over Paraguay

The U.S. has opened its first home World Cup in 32 years with a dynamic 4-1 victory over Paraguay.

Folarin Balogun scored twice in the Americans' historic three-goal first half.

Christian Pulisic had an assist in a stellar first-half playmaking performance for the Americans, who enthralled their Southern California fans with an aggressive attack while streaking to a 3-0 halftime lead.

Gio Reyna ripped another goal in the dying moments of second-half injury time, giving the Americans four goals in a World Cup match for the first time.

The U.S. scored only three goals combined in Qatar four years ago.

Here's a recap from the first match:

The final kick of the game is one of the best goals of Gio Reyna's career.

Maurício cuts the American lead to two with Paraguay's first goal of the World Cup.

A great ball by Malik Tillman and an even better finish by Folarin Balogun, whose second goal of the game gave the USMNT a 3-0 lead just before halftime.

Folarin Balogun does what he does best, as he found space in the box and poked home a cross from Christian Pulisic to put the USMNT up 2-0.

Damián Bobadilla's own goal puts the U.S. ahead in the opening 10 minutes against Paraguay.

Here's the reaction from fans in Philadelphia after going up 1-0.

Jun 12, 2026, 9:25 PM GMT

Star-studded performances set for L.A.'s opening ceremony

The World Cup opening ceremony in Sofi Stadium will come with a star-studded performance.

Anitta, Future, Katy Perry, Lisa and Rema will all take the stage Friday night. Country-duo Dan and Shay is set to sing the national anthem.

Meanwhile, an opening ceremony will take place in Toronto as Canada is set to face-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina. A few of the performers for their ceremony include Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara and Michael Bublé.

On Thursday, Mexico got the show started with Shakira and Burna Boy. The two artists performed their official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Anitta, Future, Katy Perry, Lisa and Rema will all take the stage Friday night.
Abigail Velez Image
Jun 12, 2026, 8:05 AM GMT

Fans pack Koreatown park, watch South Korea's comeback win

Fans packed Liberty Park in Koreatown to watch South Korea kick off its World Cup journey with a nail-biting 2-1 win over Czechia.

"Korea winning just makes me so happy," Koreatown resident Patricia Kong said.

"The whole time, I was like, they can pull it off. I know they can, they can come back down by one. I was like, they have it in them," Edwin Aguilar of Studio City said.

Thousands of fans in Southern California spent the day celebrating as the FIFA World Cup officially got underway.