2026 FIFA World Cup group stage kicks off in Canada and USA

The opening matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup were played on June 13. In Toronto, Canada faced Bosnia‑Herzegovina and the game ended 1‑1, with Canada’s Kail Larins scoring the equaliser and Bosnia’s Jovo Lukic netting earlier. In California, the United States defeated Paraguay 4‑1; Folarin Balogun scored twice, Giovanni Reina added a third and Paraguay’s Damian Bobadilla scored an own‑goal while Mauricio Prüd also found the net for Paraguay.

The tournament, co‑hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico, features 48 national teams divided into 12 groups of four. Group matches run through late June, with the knockout phase beginning in mid‑July.

These matches marked the first World Cup games ever held across three North‑American nations, setting the stage for the remainder of the competition.