World Cup what to know: Canada earns a hard-fought draw in opener, U.S. is up next vs. Paraguay

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has kicked off with a bang, seeing co-host Canada secure a historic 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, marking their first-ever tournament point, while the U.S. men's national team delivered a dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in California. These opening performances set a compelling tone for both North American hosts, with Canada's hard-fought point easing early pressure and the USMNT attacking prowess immediately raising expectations for a deep run on home soil. Canada's equalizer came from Cyle Larin in the 78th minute, a crucial goal that prevented a repeat of their previous World Cup campaigns which saw six consecutive losses. Meanwhile, the USMNT decisive win was spearheaded by a Folarin Balogun brace—the first by an American in a World Cup match since 1930—alongside goals from an own goal attributed to Paraguay's Damian Bobadilla, and a late strike from Gio Reyna, showcasing a new, aggressive offensive strategy under coach Mauricio Pochettino. These results are particularly significant as the 2026 tournament, the first to feature 48 teams and three host nations (Canada, Mexico, and USA), ushers in an expanded format with a new Round of 32, intensifying the stakes for group stage progression. Looking ahead, Canada will continue their Group B campaign against Qatar on June 18 in Vancouver, aiming to build on their newfound momentum. The USMNT, currently atop Group D, faces Australia on June 19 in Seattle, where they will look to maintain their explosive start and solidify their position as contenders. The coming days will be critical as teams vie for the top two spots in their groups, or one of the eight best third-place qualifications, to avoid early elimination in this historically expanded and highly anticipated tournament.