The biggest-ever FIFA World Cup will finally begin on Thursday as co-host Mexico takes on South Africa in the first of the 104 matches that will be played over the next 39 days.
As one of the hosts of the 2026 edition of the tournament, Mexico becomes the first country to host the World Cup three times. They previously hosted the tournament in 1970 and 1986 and were eliminated in the quarter-finals both times.
Mexico is eyeing a trip to the knockout rounds after going home after the group stage at Qatar 2022, while South Africa is back in the World Cup for the first time since hosting in 2010.
The action will continue Thursday night with South Korea battling Czechia from Akron stadium in Zapopan at 10pm ET/7pm PT before play heads north on Friday.
South Korea will be making a 12th appearance at the FIFA World Cup, which is the most of any Asian country.
They are coming off a Round of 16 elimination in 2022 at the hands of Brazil and haven’t gone any farther than that since 2002 when they finished fourth.
Czechia is making its first World Cup appearance since 2006 after defeating Demark in a 2-2 penalty shootout during UEFA playoffs.
Canada kicks off play in Toronto Friday
Canada will push for its first-ever World Cup win and look to set themselves on a path towards advancing to the knockout stages in an opening game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday afternoon.
Coming into the match as the 30th-ranked national side in FIFA’s world rankings, Canada is a favourite against Bosnia, currently ranked 64th.
“It’s honestly surreal,” Canadian winger Liam Millar said of playing on home soil. “When I was a kid, if I ever thought the World Cup would be here in Canada, I probably would have said no. It’s kind of a surreal moment, especially the first game is here in my hometown… we’re going to be doing everything we can to make Canada proud and doing everything we can to do as well as possible in this tournament.”
“It’s just crazy to know that we’re playing games in our own backyard, “added Jayden Nelson, who was officially added to the 26-man squad on Tuesday in place of the injured Marcelo Flores. “It’s just going to give us that extra push with our fans and family here. It’s amazing, truly.”
USA opens vs. Paraguay in Los Angeles
The United States will be the third and final host nation to begin their World Cup as the team faces an early test against Paraguay on Friday night.
Watch USA vs. Paraguay LIVE on TSN Friday at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
The Americans are coming off a strong showing in Qatar, having reached the Round of 16 before being knocked out by the Netherlands. However, advancing past the group round has been the ceiling for the team, who have suffered exits in their first knockout round games in 2010, 2014 and 2022, having failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2018.
Overall the United States are 1-7 in World Cup knockout games, having defeated Mexico in 2002 to reach the quarters.
“It’s just been a while, I feel like, since we’ve knocked off a big boy,” midfielder Tyler Adams said. “I think we need to try and find that in our character and I think that we will.”
Paraguay is back in the World Cup for the first time since 2010, when the team reached the quarter-finals.
The two sides played a friendly back in November, the United States earning a 2-1 win after Paraguay’s Omar Alderete received a red card just ahead of halftime with the game tied 1-1.
Action continues at the FIFA World Cup on the weekend with heavyweights Brazil, Germany and the Netherlands all in action.
Saturday’s slate also includes a Group B match for Canadian fans to keep their eyes on as Switzerland faces Qatar at 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT.
