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Sebastian Berhalter makes World Cup debut in USA's win over Paraguay

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 14, 2026, 11:40 PM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

Sebastian Berhalter makes World Cup debut in USA's win over Paraguay

Summary

Sebastian Berhalter made his World Cup debut for the United States on June 12, 2026, in a match against Paraguay, where the US secured a 4-1 victory. He is the son of Gregg Berhalter, who previously excluded him from the 2022 World Cup roster due to performance concerns. That rejection motivated Sebastian to improve his game significantly, leading to his selection for the tournament. His inclusion marks the second father-son duo for the US in World Cup history, joining Claudio and Gio Reyna.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Sebastian Berhalter started for the United States against Paraguay.
•The US won 4-1 in their World Cup opener.
•This marks Berhalter's first World Cup appearance.
•Gregg Berhalter had previously told Sebastian he wasn't ready for the 2022 tournament.
•The match took place in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026.

Latest Updates

11:40 PMYahoo Sports — Sebastian Berhalter's Father Told Him He Wasn't Good Enough, and It Built a World Cup Player

What they're saying

"
Four years ago, a 21-year-old midfielder sat in the stands in Qatar and watched his father do the job he wanted more than anything. Sebastian Berhalter was not on the United States roster for the 2022 World Cup. His dad, Gregg, was the man picking it. Before the tournament, the father had told the son…
— Yahoo Sports

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