World Cup: Canada faces Bosnia and Herzegovina, US takes on Paraguay
On June 12, the other two co-hosts will play their first games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Canada will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, while the U.S. will play against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Group B, Round 1, June 12, Toronto, BMO Field
Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Coaches: Jesse Marsch (the U.S.) / Sergej Barbarez
Referee: Facundo Tello (Argentina)
Prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina had never faced each other. Canada had previously appeared at the World Cup in 1986 and 2022 but had yet to earn a single point at the tournament.
Jesse Marsch’s team heads into the tournament with a few challenges. One of Canada’s key players, Alphonso Davies, will miss the opening match due to injury, placing greater attacking responsibility on Jonathan David.
Bosnia and Herzegovina returns to the World Cup after 12 years. The team’s biggest icon is 40-year-old Edin Džeko, who remains both captain and its most recognizable player. This will be the country’s second World Cup appearance following its debut in 2014.
The squad also includes a familiar name for fans in Kazakhstan — FC Astana midfielder Ivan Bašić. He will become the first active player from the Kazakhstan Premier League to feature at a World Cup. Bašić played seven matches in the qualifying campaign but did not record a goal or assist.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Group D, Round 1, June 12, Los Angeles, SoFi Stadium
The U.S. vs. Paraguay W5 D2 L2
Coaches: Mauricio Pochettino (Argentina) / Gustavo Alfaro (Argentina)
Referee: Danny Makkelie (the Netherlands)
The U.S. national team begins its World Cup campaign against Paraguay and enters the tournament with high expectations. Playing on home soil, Mauricio Pochettino’s side is expected not only to win the group but also to go deep into the knockout stage.
Paraguay, however, is unlikely to be an easy opponent for the hosts. Gustavo Alfaro’s side showed in qualifying that it can be both physical and well-organized, picking up notable wins over Argentina (2-1) and Brazil (1-0).
The head-to-head record slightly favors the U.S.: they have won five matches against Paraguay, drawn twice, and lost on two occasions. The first meeting dates back to the 1930 World Cup, where the U.S. won 3-0.
The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup is being held across three countries for the first time — the U.S., Canada and Mexico — with 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four. Europe has 16 representatives, Africa 10, Asia 9, South America and CONCACAF 6 each and Oceania 1.
After a single round of group matches, 16 teams are eliminated — the bottom side from each group plus the four worst third-placed teams. The remaining 32 then enter a single-elimination bracket: Round of 32, Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
