World Cup Opening Night: US Victory Over Paraguay, Italy's Anger at Infantino

Among the dignitaries at the stadium was Paraguayan President Santiago Peña. US President Donald Trump, however, remained in Washington and apparently did not follow the game publicly. He also did not post on his platform Truth Social after the final whistle. His World Cup ambassador Andrew Giuliani explained that the president had a full schedule. Trump had, however, already set up his own World Cup task force in the White House, had the World Cup trophy placed in the Oval Office, and announced that he would attend the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.

Fan Atmosphere in New York and Growing Interest

In New York, fans watched the match at the bar Smithfield Hall, which according to the report was packed to capacity. The 28-year-old Dylan, who was watching with four friends, was thrilled. The 4-1 was "der perfekte Start," he said, adding: "Ein bisschen träumen können wir schon." On the bar's screens, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were occasionally visible — something that did not sit well with Dylan: "Ich weiß nicht, wen ich mehr verachte," he said with regard to the two.

Italy's Anger at Infantino

While soccer is gaining increasing popularity in the US — according to a YouGov survey, 22 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds now describe themselves as active fans — Infantino is simultaneously causing displeasure in Italy. In an interview with the Brazilian broadcaster CazéTV, he grinned about the Italian national team's renewed failure in World Cup qualification and said with regard to a possible World Cup expansion: "Vielleicht qualifiziert sich Italien bei einer WM mit 64 Teams – oder wir gehen sogar hoch auf 228 Teams." Italy's Sports Minister Andrea Abodi announced that he would seek a conversation with the FIFA chief, as reported by the news agency Ansa.

There were also moving moments off the pitch. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum did not attend her team's opening match against South Africa (2:0) at the stadium, but watched the game in a fan zone in Mexico City. She gave her ceremonial place at the Azteca Stadium to a young indigenous woman who had won a national competition. Mexico's victory was one of three opening matches, after Canada also played 1-1 against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday evening after falling behind.

DFB Ahead of Match Against Curaçao

For the German squad, negotiations over outstanding issues remain in focus. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf expressed confidence during a visit to the German House of Soccer in New York that the talks would be concluded before the match on Sunday (7:00 PM/ARD and MagentaTV) in Houston against Curaçao. It is not an issue that will be carried into the first match, said the 64-year-old. Other topics of World Cup night were speculation about a future expansion of the tournament to 64 or even 228 teams.

From a Brazilian perspective, the situation surrounding a superstar also dominated the headlines. "Er arbeitet hart, um so schnell wie möglich fit zu sein," explained coach Carlo Ancelotti ahead of Brazil's World Cup opener against the North Africans in the night to Saturday (0:00/ZDF and MagentaTV). "Wir hoffen, dass er kommende Woche wieder voll ins Training einsteigen kann," added the coach. The 34-year-old attacker may even be out for the entire group stage. The star is working hard in the weight room specifically for his comeback — but it was not enough for the opening.

Trump had most recently been booed on the jumbotron at the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York on Monday. On Saturday after the opening match, he celebrated his 80th birthday and hosted a UFC fight night at the White House for the occasion. In addition, he had received a so-called "FIFA Peace Prize" from Infantino — an award that is being discussed controversially internationally.

The next tournament stop takes the German team to Houston on Sunday. Prior to that, the Brazilian opening match against the North African side is scheduled for late Saturday evening. The World Cup runs until the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.