Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thierry Henry say the United States’ 4-1 win over Paraguay is exactly the kind of performance that should turn belief into momentum heading into the next match at Seattle.
The noise didn’t fade after the final whistle at Los Angeles Stadium. It carried—loud, insistent—into the postgame talk about what this U.S. team can become.
The United States opened its home World Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay. putting on what felt like an electric show for an equally electric crowd. It wasn’t just the score. It was control. By halftime. the Americans were dominating possession 71% to 29%. and they did it against a Paraguayan side that struggled to even cross the halfway line for much of the first half.
For Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thierry Henry, that kind of first-half performance wasn’t a lucky spark—it was a foundation.
Ibrahimović said the point now is belief. He framed it directly to American fans during the postgame show, explaining that the conversation had started long before kickoff.
“I mean, we were speaking before the game about believing. My message to the American people is: if you didn’t believe before the game. the performance in the first half should make you start believing. ” Ibrahimović said. “Because if they can bring this performance into the upcoming games, this American team can do something big. Are you surprised?”.
Henry agreed that confidence matters most when the stakes rise. He has carried that view since the World Cup draw and connected it to how teams respond in moments where pressure can swallow momentum.
“Play my video of what I said in the draw. Have a look at it,” Henry said. “You’ve got to believe, and I’m not American. I said I believe that this team can bring the crowd together.”
He didn’t limit the message to the highlight reel. Henry pointed to the need to keep that belief alive through the uncertainty that often comes before tournaments truly settle.
“They just need to do it today. Not in the friendly games, not when people were panicking, not even against Panama here. I know it was a Nations League, a lot of people were talking. They need to be ready today.”
The United States’ win carried a historic edge too. The U.S. scored four goals in a men’s World Cup match for the first time ever.
Henry leaned on the idea that belief doesn’t only come from what’s done once. It comes from repeating it—starting with the very next test.
The Americans will try to build on the momentum from this night when they take on Australia next Friday, June 19, at Seattle Stadium, where a raucous atmosphere is expected.
“I believe in what I see, and I saw a great team today — a team performance,” Henry said. “I believe personally that they can go on a run. Let’s see if they will do it. That doesn’t mean you will go on a run. But now, I’m sure a lot of people will believe that they can go on a run.”
United States vs Paraguay 4-1 victory Ibrahimović Thierry Henry 2026 FIFA World Cup Los Angeles Stadium Seattle Stadium Australia belief