TOM Cruise and David Beckham led Hollywood’s A-list who turned out to watch the USA’s opening match against Paraguay.
Home fans were delighted as the US stormed to a dominant 4-1 victory at SoFi stadium in Los Angeles as Mauricio Pochettino’s men romped to victory in their Group D opener.
Ahead of kick off Katy Perry performed an underwhelming ballad in a bizarre silver dress to open the third and final opening ceremony of the tournament.
Fans expecting a high-energy hit from Perry,41, slammed the track choice – a little known song called “Wonder” – and its 10 minute performance time.
On X, one fan described the performance as a “train wreck” while another poked fun at Perry’s “hilarious dress”.
Hollywood stars George Lucas, Halle Berry, Rob Lowe, Owen Wilson, Sofia Vergara, Vince Vaughan, Jamie Foxx and socialite Paris Hilton also watched the game in the sunny 70,000 seat cauldron.
Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis, a FIFA World Cup 2026 Ambassador, welcomed fans and millions around the world before the action got underway.
Perry was joined by rapper Future to headline the star-studded ceremony, which also featured stars including Anitta, LISA, Rema and Tyla.
The latter performed alongside Future to perform their hit “Game Time” as an array of dancers strutted their stuff either side while holding golden footballs.
LISA, who hails from Thailand, got the crowd going chanting “Goals, goals, goals” and “shots, on shots, on shots” before Brazilian mega-star Anitta and Nigerian rapper Rema joined her on stage.
As the players prepared to kick-start their tournament, Dan + Shay sang the United States national anthem while Purahei Soul did the same for Paraguay.
The SoFi Stadium, a 70,000-seater arena, which is usually the home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, has been transformed for the tournament.
Before kick-off, swathes of American fans descended on the ground chanting “USA! USA!” as the excitement in Los Angeles reached fever pitch.
Pochettino’s system immediately went to work at the start of the first half with multiple attacking chances thanks to smart build-up play between Weston McKennie and Balogun.
But it was an error on the part of the Paraguayans that would get the scoring going.
Just seven minutes into the game, a nifty move from Pulisic saw the ball get to the foot of McKennie, and conveniently deflect into the net for an own goal off of Damian Bobadilla.
That was just the start of a relentless day of attacking chances for the USMNT.
The Americans kept up the pressure after the first hydration break, with Balogun finding the net almost immediately — only for the goal to be called off for an offside ruling.
But instantly got a chance at redemption and didn’t waste it, knocking in a lovely assist from Pulisic into the bottom right corner in the 31st minute.
And he added to his goal total just before the whistle on a throughball from winger Malik Tillman that he fired into the top left corner past goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Paraguay clawed back its first goal of the night thanks to a left- footed shot to the bottom right corner from Mauricio.
President Donald Trump was not on hand to watch the glorious victory live but his Secretary of State Marco Rubio was there.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side could be dark horses to go deep into the tournament but will need to also get past Turkey and Australia in the group stage.
Before the US match, Alanis Morrisette and Michael Buble kicked off the second opening ceremony – as Canada claimed their first ever point at a World Cup.
The superstar duo headlined the blockbuster celebrations at the Toronto Stadium before the co-hosts were held to a tense 1-1 draw in front of thousands of supporters on Friday night.
Fans were dazzled by a sea of crimson upon entering the arena as a giant Canadian flag stretched the length of the pitch with a giant golden football at its centre.
Buble, 50, warmed up the crowd ahead of the Group B clash, wowing supporters with a cover of ‘Bring It On Home to Me’ by Sam Cooke, surrounded by the flags of all 48 competing nations
Morissette – who became a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s – then took centre stage as she performed the Canadian national anthem.
The opening ceremony began with dancers in traditional dress and playing the drums before William Prince welcomed the world and honoured Canada’s indigenous communities.
Alessia Cara then emerged from behind the golden ball as she belted out “Wild Things” and “Fire” inside its gilded frame.
The singer was followed by high-energy performances from Nora Fatehi, Vegedream and Sanjoy before Elyanna and Jessie Reyez made their entrance.
The duo performed “Illuminate” as the golden football rose into the air surrounded by a blaze of red-and-white smoke.
Fans then counted down the seconds before Argentine referee Facundo Figueroa blew his whistle to get the co-host’s World Cup campaign underway.
Jesse Marsch will be hoping to lead his team to the knockout stages for the first time in the country’s history after winning the nation’s first ever point at a World Cup.
Cyle Larin made himself a national hero as he came off the bench to poke home the equaliser that sent the stadium – and Wrexham owner Ryan Reynolds – into absolute carnage.
Bosnia had looked set to hold onto the first half lead given to them by the injured Edin Dzeko’s understudy, Jovo Lukic before Larin, 31, was fed by fellow sub Promise David just two minutes after coming on.
