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Two more co-hosts get underway in the 2026 World Cup
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The 2026 World Cup continues on Friday night with two more host nations and two more opening ceremonies.
Canada begin their tournament in Toronto against Bosnia, before USA get going in Los Angeles against Paraguay.
Yesterday, co-hosts Mexico got off to the perfect start with a 2-0 win over South Africa. South Korea joined the Mexicans at the top of Group A on three points after proving too good for Czechia.
Here’s what’s coming up at the World Cup tonight, on Thursday 11 June:
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Jesse Marsch has a simple message for anyone wondering whether his Canada side are ready for the weight of a home World Cup: they are not just ready for it, they want it.
Canada will arrive at Toronto Stadium on Friday for their first World Cup game on home soil carrying the weight of a nation after a build-up that has been defined as much by the treatment room as the training pitch, but Marsch is undaunted.
“If you do this for a living, this is where you want to be,” Marsch said on Thursday ahead of the Group B opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I came to Canada to be the coach because I liked these guys and I believed they could fit the way I wanted to play, but I came here to lead them in the World Cup — in the home World Cup. I wanted this responsibility.”
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United States coach Mauricio Pochettino said his side must be prepared for a very difficult World Cup opener against Paraguay on Friday, warning that the South Americans are dangerous opponents despite the hosts being favoured.
The U.S. begin their World Cup campaign at Los Angeles Stadium in Group D, carrying the expectations that come with playing on home soil and with a squad Pochettino said has arrived in strong physical, tactical and emotional condition.
But the Argentine, who knows Paraguay well from his playing and coaching career, said Gustavo Alfaro’s team would pose a serious challenge.
“I know very well the mentality, the aggressivity, the competitivity,” Pochettino told reporters on Thursday.
“Paraguay showed in qualification for this World Cup how tough it is to play against them and how they performed so well. They beat Argentina, Brazil. My expectation is tomorrow is going to be a very tough game.
“They have good quality and a great coach in Gustavo Alfaro who I respect and admire him a lot.”
You can see the full World Cup fixture schedule here.
Group B: Qatar vs Switzerland – Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco (12pm in UK, 8pm local)
Group C: Brazil vs Morocco – MetLife Stadium, New Jersey (11pm in UK, 6pm local)
Group C: Haiti vs Scotland – Gillette Stadium, Boston (2am Sunday in UK, 9pm local)
Group D: Group Australia v Turkey – BC Place, Vancouver (5am Sunday in UK, 9pm local)
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