FIFA World Cup 2026™: USA Dominate, Canada Earn Historic Point as Tournament Heats Up
June 13, 2026 — The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is well underway across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with 48 teams competing in 104 fixtures across 16 host cities. Matchday 2 delivered thrills as co-hosts USA and Canada took center stage, while Korea Republic and Mexico set the early pace in Group A.
USA 4-1 Paraguay | Group D | Los Angeles Stadium
Folarin Balogun scored a brace as Mauricio Pochettino's USA delivered a commanding performance in their World Cup opener at Los Angeles Stadium. The Stars and Stripes took the lead early through an own goal by Paraguay's Damian Bobadilla (7'), before Balogun struck twice — first slotting home a Christian Pulisic pass (31'), then blasting into the top corner from a Malik Tillman through ball deep into first-half stoppage time (45+5').
Paraguay substitute Mauricio pulled one back in the 73rd minute, converting a Julio Enciso pass, but Gio Reyna sealed the victory with an impressive long-distance strike in the eighth minute of added time (90+8').
Key stat: Balogun becomes the fourth player in as many World Cups to score a brace in a host nation's opening match — following Neymar (2014), Denis Cheryshev (2018), and Enner Valencia (2022).
Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match: Folarin Balogun (USA)
Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina | Group B | Toronto Stadium
Co-hosts Canada secured their first-ever FIFA World Cup point after substitute Cyle Larin's 78th-minute equalizer rescued a draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium. Jovo Lukic had given the visitors a 21st-minute lead, heading home from a Sead Kolasinac flick at a corner.
Canada pressed relentlessly in the second half, with Tani Oluwaseyi and Richie Laryea coming close before Larin — introduced in the 76th minute — turned sharply to fire past Nikola Vasilj from Promise David's assist just two minutes later. Larin nearly won it in stoppage time but was denied.
Key stat: Canada ended a six-match losing streak in World Cup final tournaments with this result.
Superior Player of the Match: Ismaël Koné (Canada)
Matchday 1 Recap: Korea Republic & Mexico Off to Winning Starts
Korea Republic 2-1 Czechia | Group A | Guadalajara Stadium
Hwang Inbeom scored one and created the other as Korea Republic came from behind to defeat Czechia. Ladislav Krejci headed Czechia into a surprise lead from a Vladimir Coufal long throw (59'), but Hwang restored parity with a sublime curling effort after a Lee Kangin through ball (67'), before setting up Oh Hyeongyu for the winner (80').
Mexico vs South Africa | Group A
Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez scored as Mexico defeated South Africa to join Korea Republic at the top of Group A.
Matchday 3 Preview — Saturday, June 13
- Qatar vs Switzerland (Group B) — 12:00 local, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. The 2022 hosts face a tough Swiss side.
- Brazil vs Morocco (Group C) — 18:00 local, New York New Jersey Stadium. Five-time champions Brazil begin their 23rd consecutive World Cup campaign against Africa's 2022 semi-finalists.
- Haiti vs Scotland (Group C) — 21:00 local, Boston Stadium. Haiti return after 52 years; Scotland after 28. Scott McTominay is declared "ready to go" by coach Steve Clarke.
- Australia vs Türkiye (Group D) — 21:00 local, BC Place Vancouver. Türkiye coach Vincenzo Montella urged caution despite Hakan Çalhanoğlu's confident pre-match comments.
Also in the News
- Opening Ceremonies: Katy Perry performed at Los Angeles Stadium before USA-Paraguay, while Michael Bublé and Alanis Morissette featured at the Toronto ceremony.
- FIFA® Panini Collection App: The official digital sticker collection featuring 528 players is now available for fans worldwide.
- Marquinhos: The Brazil defender, fresh from winning a second European title with PSG, has vowed to battle pressure in pursuit of World Cup glory.
- Egypt's Hamza Abdelkarim: The Barcelona U-19 sharpshooter is bidding to enhance his reputation at the global showpiece.
Source: All information verified via official FIFA.com API and FIFA+ digital platform. Match data, quotes, and statistics sourced exclusively from FIFA. Story compiled June 13, 2026.
