Paraguay's midfielder Damian Bobadilla scored an own goal in the 2026 World Cup Group D football match against USA. | Photo Credit: AFP

Paraguay defender Damián Bobadilla entered the record books for an unwanted reason, becoming the first player to score an own goal at the FIFA World Cup 2026 during Paraguay’s Group D clash against the USA at SoFi Stadium in California on Saturday.

The midfielder inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to deal with Weston McKennie’s cutback from the edge of the six-yard box, handing the co-host an early lead.

The goal, scored in the seventh minute, was the USA’s third-fastest strike in FIFA World Cup history and the fastest goal of the 2026 tournament so far.

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This was the fourth own goal scored against USA in World Cup history. Only France (six) has had more.

The USA is hosting the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1994 and will be aiming to improve on its 2022 campaign, which ended with a Round of 16 defeat.

Paraguay, meanwhile, has returned to the tournament for the first time since 2010, when it enjoyed its best-ever World Cup run by reaching the quarterfinals.

Published on Jun 13, 2026