FIFA World Cup 2026 live updates: USA and Canada begin tournament
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The U.S. men’s national team squares off with Paraguay at 9 p.m. ET, while Canada faces Bosnia-Herzegovina at 3 p.m.
What to know about the World Cup
- Today's matches are Canada vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (Group B) at 3 p.m. ET on Telemundo and Peacock and United States vs. Paraguay (Group D) at 9 p.m. ET on Telemundo and Peacock.
- Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 and South Korea beat Czechia 2-1 in the first matches of the tournament.
- The World Cup will take place in three countries with 48 teams competing for soccer's ultimate prize.
- Become an NBC News subscriber for even more on the World Cup and sign up for The Sport Desk newsletter for daily recaps and previews.
- Mira y lee noticias en español sobre la Copa Mundial en Noticias Telemundo.
How the 'Milwaukee Messi' became a World Cup hero for Bosnia, not the U.S.
One of the best young American talents will take the field at the World Cup — for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Meet Esmir Bajraktarević, the 21-year-old nicknamed the “Milwaukee Messi.”
Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, to parents born in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bajraktarević was quickly spotted by talent evaluators for his goal-scoring wizardry and drive to improve. Both qualities helped him rise through the U.S. system while playing for development teams of MLS side New England and the U.S. national team.
With his pathway to playing for the U.S. senior national team this summer unclear, however, Bajraktarević elected to represent his parents’ home country during this World Cup cycle, and he has since become a national hero back in Bosnia.
Esmir Bajraktarević scores a winning penalty kick during a World Cup qualifying match against Italy on March 31. Getty Images
During the last round of World Cup qualifying in March, Bajraktarević fired a penalty kick low and to the right to beat Italy and clinch Bosnia’s first World Cup appearance in 12 years. It was the second consecutive qualifying game that Bosnia won after equalizing with a late goal before winning on penalty kicks.
If Bajraktarević, who now plays for champions PSV in the top Dutch domestic league, thrives in the World Cup, it could spark questions of how the U.S. could not keep him in its developmental pipeline.
¡Golazo de Corea del Sur! Hwang In-Beom empata ante Chequia en el debut mundialista
Kang-In Lee conectó un pase magistral para que In-Beom Hwang rematara picado sobre Kovár y pusiera el empate para el conjunto asiático ante los europeos en su presentación en la Copa del Mundo desde el Estadio Guadalajara.
U.S. men's national team 'small favorites' to win Group D
Drew Dinsick and Jay Croucher discuss the field for Group D at the World Cup, where the U.S. remains a slight favorite in a group with Turkey, Paraguay and Australia.
Co-host Canada prepares to open tournament
In Toronto, Canada will play Bosnia-Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET in the first of two games today, followed by the U.S. and Paraguay at 9 p.m.
This is the first meeting ever between Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina, as Canada is only making its third World Cup. These teams play in Group B, along with Qatar and Switzerland.
Canada is trying to become the first team from CONCACAF — the confederation that covers nations from North and Central America and the Caribbean — to beat a European team at the World Cup in 13 games. The last win was Mexico's 1-0 defeat of Germany in 2018.
Canada's Tani Oluwaseyi works out with teammates yesterday in Toronto. Stephanie Scarbrough / AP
Highlights from Day 1
On the opening day of the World Cup, Mexico beat South Africa in a game with three red cards, and later South Korea came from behind to beat Czechia, 2-1.
Julián Quiñones scored quickly to put Mexico ahead.
Mexico added to its cushion in the 66th minute.
On Thursday night in Guadalajara, South Korea's tying goal was scored on a spectacular assist that set up an even better move by Hwang In-beom.
Both Mexico and South Korea now sit atop Group A with 3 points apiece. They will play each other on June 18.
