After Mexico opens the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11, both North American co-hosts get their turn on Day 2. Canada face Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field in Toronto — a moment years in the making for Canadian football — while the United States launch their campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Two host nations, two separate groups, two separate stories. Here is what to watch in both matches.
Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina — Group B, 3pm ET
This is not just Canada's World Cup opening match. It is the first time a Canadian club ground hosts a FIFA World Cup fixture — BMO Field, Toronto's 30,000-seat soccer stadium, has been expanded and prepared for this exact moment. The atmosphere will be electric. For a generation of Canadian fans who have waited their entire sporting lives for this, the occasion matters as much as the result.
On the pitch, Canada enter Group B as favourites. They qualified comfortably and possess a squad with genuine depth and tournament experience from the 2022 World Cup. Jonathan David leads the attack with the quiet authority of someone who scores for fun at club level and increasingly delivers for his country. Alphonso Davies brings pace, delivery, and the kind of left-channel dominance that troubles any team sitting in a mid-block.
Bosnia arrive with a limited record at World Cups but a squad capable of surprising opponents who underestimate them. Historically, Bosnian football has punched above its weight in European competition, and their physical style — strong in the air, willing to press and disrupt — can cause problems for technically proficient sides if Canada do not manage the game's tempo intelligently.
Canada's path to the knockout rounds runs through Group B alongside Qatar and Switzerland. Win this opener and the pressure lifts considerably. Drop points and the group becomes considerably more stressful. Expect a patient Canadian performance rather than a high-tempo cavalry charge.
USA vs Paraguay — Group D, 9pm ET
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California holds 70,000-plus in regular configuration and will be packed to the rafters for the United States' opening match. This is the game that will be watched by more Americans than any World Cup match in history — the host nation, at home, in prime time on the West Coast.
The USMNT enter this tournament as the most watched co-host and one of the more talked-about storylines of the tournament. Christian Pulisic remains the focal point of the attack — his club form at AC Milan over the past two seasons has been the best of his career, and he arrives at this World Cup as arguably the most dangerous US attacker the country has ever produced. Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams provide the midfield structure that allows the US to keep the ball and press effectively. Josh Sargent or Ricardo Pepi will likely lead the line.
Paraguay are the kind of side that makes for testing Group D opponents. They are physically imposing, tactically disciplined, and historically competitive in South American football — CONMEBOL qualifying is one of the toughest roads to any World Cup. They will not offer the USA space freely and their set-piece threat is genuine.
Group D also contains Australia and Türkiye, making it one of the more open groups of the first phase. The US need at least four points from their first two matches to remove meaningful uncertainty before the group stage concludes.
Why Day 2 matters for the tournament narrative
June 12 is the only day in the group stage where two co-hosts play simultaneously. It sets the tone for the tournament's reception in North America. If both Canada and the USA win convincingly, the energy heading into the rest of the group stage is electric. If either drops points at home to an opponent considered beatable, the pressure and the storylines multiply quickly.
For the broader tournament, Day 2 also gives fans their first real read on the shape of Group B and Group D — important because the round-of-32 bracket in the new 48-team format means every point carries seeding implications far beyond simple group advancement.
How to watch
- Canada vs Bosnia — June 12, 3pm ET / 12pm PT. FOX and Telemundo (Spanish) in the US; CBC and TSN in Canada.
- USA vs Paraguay — June 12, 9pm ET / 6pm PT. FOX and Telemundo (Spanish) in the US; available via Fox Sports streaming.
Follow live scores for both matches on Scorelisto's live soccer fixtures page and check the blog for post-match recaps published after each final whistle.
FAQ
What time does Canada play on June 12? Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina kicks off at 3pm ET (12pm PT) at BMO Field, Toronto.
What time does USA play on June 12? USA vs Paraguay kicks off at 9pm ET (6pm PT) at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California.
What group is Canada in? Group B, alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland.
What group is the USA in? Group D, alongside Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye.