Hosts the United States and Canada enjoyed positive starts to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns on Friday, with the Americans producing a record-breaking victory over Paraguay while Canada secured a hard-fought draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
justin and hailey watching the match between the USA and Paraguay today 🥹🩷 pic.twitter.com/mXgW8UgQHW
— bay ⋆ ˚｡⋆ (@offmybieber) June 13, 2026
Playing in front of a packed crowd at Los Angeles Stadium, the United States defeated Paraguay 4-1 in Group D to register the biggest World Cup win in the nation's history.
Lleno de famosos el partido USA - Paraguay. pic.twitter.com/itlhWXLt6Y
— Agus Colombier (@agus_colombier) June 13, 2026
Forward Folarin Balogun starred with two goals, becoming the first American player since 1930 to score multiple goals in a World Cup match.
🚨🚨| 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃: USA have won a World Cup match by 3+ goals for the first time since 1930 when they also beat Paraguay 3-0. pic.twitter.com/CBqZJBy8KR
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) June 13, 2026
The Americans took an early lead when Paraguay midfielder Damián Bobadilla turned the ball into his own net after sustained pressure from Christian Pulisic.
Balogun doubled the advantage in the 31st minute before adding his second goal in first-half stoppage time to give the hosts a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
Paraguay reduced the deficit through Mauricio in the second half, but Gio Reyna sealed the victory with a late goal deep into stoppage time.
Woww! What a goal from Giovanni Reyna to make it 4-1 for USA vs Paraguay👏🏾👏🏾!
He conjured his inner Quaresma!
Early contender for goal of the World Cup!!
— Buchi Laba (@Buchi_Laba) June 13, 2026
The result marked the first time the United States had scored four goals in a World Cup match and provided an ideal start to their campaign under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Meanwhile, in Toronto, Canada earned its first World Cup point after drawing 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group B.
Canada fans 🇨🇦 vs 🇧🇦 Bosnia fans pic.twitter.com/OIYw9sW8ib
— RTN (@RTNToronto) June 12, 2026
The visitors took the lead in the 21st minute through Jovo Lukic, who headed home from a corner kick.
Canada responded late in the match when substitute Cyle Larin scored in the 78th minute, converting a pass from Promise David to send the home crowd into celebration.
En el partido de Canada vs Bosnia, un hombre logró atrapar un balon que llegó a la grada con su esposa y empezaron a gritar y a celebrar. Esta es una tradición dentro del béisbol y otros deportes Norteamericanos, en el fútbol nadie celebra al atrapar una pelota en las gradas.… pic.twitter.com/OD2WfsZrqT
— Futbol de Inglaterra (@Mercado_Ingles) June 13, 2026
The goal was only the second scored by Canada in men's World Cup history and helped the team avoid another opening-match defeat on football's biggest stage.
ملخص مباراة : كأس العالم ٢٠٢٦ 🏟️🏆
🇨🇦 كندا 1-1 البوسنة 🇧🇦pic.twitter.com/abAlxnGzYF
— أخبار كأس العالم (@Kooora_premium) June 12, 2026
The draw represented a significant milestone for the Canadians, who lost all three matches in both their previous World Cup appearances in 1986 and 2022.
Canada 1 - 1 Bosnia Herzegovina
MVP : Ismael Kone pic.twitter.com/6X7kp4pJiw
— Elrazaa27 (@WaxowskiY) June 14, 2026
Backed by a passionate crowd in Toronto, Canada showed resilience to recover from an early setback and secure a valuable point.
Ryan Reynolds watching the FIFA World Cup match between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina. pic.twitter.com/ts7Ke7hAtf
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) June 12, 2026
With the opening matches completed, the United States sit atop Group D with three points, while Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina each begin Group B with one point as the expanded 48-team tournament continues across North America.
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