TORONTO — The 2026 FIFA World Cup opened its North American phase as co-hosts Canada and the United States played their first matches on Friday, following the tournament's start in Mexico the previous day.
Canada faced Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B at BMO Field in Toronto, while the United States met Paraguay in Group D at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The matches marked the first games for the North American hosts after Mexico's opening fixture against South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City.
FIFA officials described the multi-nation hosting as a historic first for the expanded 48-team tournament, which features 104 matches across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States through July 19. Opening ceremonies were held in each host country, with performances in Toronto and Los Angeles on Friday.
"The energy here is incredible. This is a moment for all of North America," Canadian coach Jesse Marsch said before the match, according to team statements.
Canada, ranked around 30th in the world, entered the tournament seeking a strong start at home against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The United States, ranked higher, faced Paraguay in a venue known for its modern facilities and large capacity. Both host teams are aiming to advance from the group stage in the record-sized competition.
The tournament's structure includes three opening ceremonies, one in each host nation. Mexico's ceremony and match on Thursday featured a performance by Shakira and Burna Boy. Toronto's event included Canadian artists such as Alessia Cara and Michael Bublé, while Los Angeles featured Katy Perry, Future and others.
Security and logistics for the multi-venue event involved coordination among authorities in the three countries. Ticket demand was reported as high, with fans traveling across the continent for the co-hosted spectacle.
As of Saturday, results from Friday's matches were still being finalized in reports, with further group stage games scheduled over the coming days. FIFA said preparations for the tournament, the first in North America since 1994 in the United States, had gone smoothly overall. Details on attendance and exact outcomes were expected in official updates.
The final is set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
