ANNOUNCEMENT: Canada and USA to Play at FIFA World Cup
On June 13, the two co-hosts of the tournament will play their first matches in the group stage of the home World Cup. Canada will play in Group B, while the USA will start their campaign in Group D. Both teams are counting on the support of their home crowds.
Double debut in North America: Canada and USA begin their home World Cup
Main Event
On June 13, 2026, the two remaining co-hosts of the World Cup — Canada and the United States — will begin their journey in the world's premier football tournament. After Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in the opening match of the World Cup in Mexico City on June 12, it is now the turn of the two North American co-hosts to appear before their fans.
Canada, hosting for the first time in its history, will take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto at BMO Field. The Group B match will kick off on the night of June 12-13 (at 2:00 AM Moscow time). For the Maple Leafs, this is a historic moment — the Canadian men's national team has never played a World Cup match as host. Fans filling the 30,000-seat stadium in Toronto are hoping for a sensation: Canada has not only never won a World Cup match but has also never earned a point — six losses in six matches at the 1986 and 2022 World Cups.
The second match of the day will take place in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium, where the USA will face Paraguay in Group D. The match kicks off at 8:00 AM Moscow time (10:00 PM local time on June 12). For the Americans, who have experienced a football renaissance in recent years, this match will be a test of strength. The USA has advanced from the group stage in the last three World Cups (2010, 2014, 2022) and has suffered only one loss in nine group stage matches. The home tournament is a chance to match or surpass their best-ever result: reaching the quarterfinals in 2002.
Details and Statistics
Both host teams approach their matches in excellent form, but their opponents are also ready to spring surprises. Comparative statistics are presented in the tables below.
Match: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Group B, June 13, 2:00 AM Moscow time, BMO Field, Toronto):
| Metric | Canada | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA Ranking | 30th | 65th |
| World Cup Appearances | 3rd (1986, 2022, 2026) | 2nd (2014, 2026) |
| Unbeaten Streak | 8 matches | 8 matches |
| Clean Sheets in Streak | 6 of 8 | 6 of 7 (no more than 1 goal conceded per game) |
| Top Scorer | Jonathan David (31 goals) | Edin Džeko (67 goals, captain) |
| Injuries/Absences | Alphonso Davies (often misses matches) | Edin Džeko and Haris Tabaković (not fully recovered) |
Match: USA vs. Paraguay (Group D, June 13, 8:00 AM Moscow time, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles):
| Metric | USA | Paraguay |
|---|---|---|
| World Cup Appearances | 12th | 9th (first since 2010) |
| Best Result | 3rd place (1930), Quarterfinals (2002) | Quarterfinals (2010) |
| Form (Last 5 Matches) | 2 wins | 3 wins |
| Key Players | Pulisic, McKennie, Adams, Balogun | Gómez, Almirón (injured), Enciso (doubtful) |
| Head-to-Head | 5 USA wins, 2 Paraguay wins, 2 draws |
Notably, Canada and Bosnia have never faced each other on the football pitch, adding intrigue to this matchup. Statistically, Canada has the advantage of home turf: they have lost only 1 of their last 10 home matches, winning 6 and drawing 3.
As for the USA, the probability of their victory according to the Opta statistical system is 39.8%, while Paraguay's chances are estimated at 33.6%. Analysts believe the match will be evenly contested, with the outcome decided by one or two moments.
Context and Significance
For Canada, this match is not just the start of the tournament but an opportunity to write their name in history. The Maple Leafs have never won a World Cup match and have never earned a point: in 1986 they lost to France (0-1), Hungary (0-2), and the USSR (0-2); in 2022 they lost to Belgium (0-1), Croatia (1-4), and Morocco (1-2). The only goal in Canada's World Cup history was scored by Alphonso Davies — the very player who now often misses matches due to injuries.
Coach Jesse Marsch, who took over the team in 2024, has built a disciplined squad that relies on speed, pressing, and quick transitions from defense to attack. Canada has not suffered a single defeat in 2026 and has kept clean sheets in six of their last eight matches. This is not the same team that lost to everyone four years ago.
The USA, under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, who took over in 2024 after leaving Chelsea, is also in a rebuilding phase. The Argentine specialist has nearly two years to prepare for the home tournament, and his goal is at least to match the achievement of 1994, when the USA reached the Round of 16 at their first home World Cup. The Americans' problem is inconsistency: they have won only two of their last five matches.
For Paraguay, which has not participated in the World Cup since 2010 (when the South Americans reached the quarterfinals), this is a return to the big stage. Gustavo Alfaro's team went through a tough qualifying campaign, competing with the giants of South American football, and earned their place in the final tournament. Paraguay is known for its organized defense and discipline — qualities that could cause plenty of trouble for the hosts.
What's Next
After the matches on June 13, both host teams will face their second group stage matches, which will largely determine their fate in the tournament.
For Canada, the next opponent will be the Czech Republic — the match will take place on June 19, also in Toronto. The Czechs, who lost to South Korea 1-2 in the first round, will be desperately fighting for points, and Canada cannot afford to relax. The Maple Leafs will conclude the group stage on June 23 in Vancouver against South Korea — the group leader after the first round.
After facing Paraguay, the USA will play Egypt on June 18 in Los Angeles, and on June 23 in Seattle against Portugal. These matches will be a real test for the Americans: Portugal is traditionally considered the group favorite, while Egypt, with its star-studded lineup, is capable of springing a surprise.
The format of the 2026 World Cup, featuring 48 teams divided into 12 groups, means that not only the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, but also the four best third-placed teams. This provides additional insurance for favorites but also increases the intrigue: even a single point can be decisive for advancing to the Round of 32.
Editorial Prediction
Both matches promise to be tense, but for different reasons. Canada, despite historical bad luck at World Cups, is currently in the best form of its history. An eight-match unbeaten streak, phenomenal defense (6 clean sheets in 8 matches), and the advantage of home support in Toronto make the Maple Leafs favorites against Bosnia. Edin Džeko's lack of full fitness is a serious loss for the Bosnians, who were counting on the experience of their 40-year-old captain.
Editorial prediction: Canada will secure their first-ever World Cup victory with a score of 1-0 or 2-0. The key factor will be a set piece or a quick counterattack organized by someone from the Jonathan David — Cyle Larin partnership. The Bosnians, known for their discipline, will defend in an organized manner, but sooner or later they will make a mistake under pressure from the hosts.
The USA vs. Paraguay match looks more unpredictable. The Americans have a more star-studded squad, but their recent form (2 wins in 5 matches) raises questions. Paraguay, on the other hand, approaches the tournament with a streak of three wins in their last five matches and a reputation as a team that has always been an uncomfortable opponent for favorites. Miguel Almirón's injury may reduce the South Americans' attacking potential, but their defense, led by Gustavo Gómez, can withstand the onslaught of Pulisic and company.
Editorial prediction: The USA will win by a narrow margin of 2-1, but the match will be very tough. The hosts will need all the support of the 70,000-seat SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles to break down Paraguay's defense. The decisive factor will be the individual skill of Christian Pulisic, who must take on the role of leader at the home tournament. If Paraguay manage to score first, the Americans will face a tense finish, and a 1-1 draw becomes a very real outcome. In any case, both hosts will earn points in the first round — the question is how many.
— Editorial Team
