World Cup Rolls into New Venues: Today's Schedule for June 12
After two matches in Mexico, the 2026 World Cup spreads to Toronto and Los Angeles on Friday. Two games kick off, both featuring host nations, with opening ceremonies starring Katy Perry, Anitta, and a roster of A-list performers.
Match Essentials
- First Match4:00 PM ET
- Canada vs BosniaToronto
- Second Match10:00 PM ET
- USA vs ParaguayLos Angeles
Canada's World Cup Debut as Host
Of the three host nations, only Canada is experiencing a World Cup on home soil for the first time. The Canadians are riding the momentum of a talented generation led by Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies and Juventus striker Jonathan David. This marks Canada's third World Cup appearance, and they're aiming to advance past the group stage for the first time in history.
Bosnia and Herzegovina return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence. They secured their spot by defeating Italy in the European playoff. At 40 years old, striker Edin Dzeko remains the team's technical leader and emotional anchor. Remarkably, Canada and Bosnia have never faced each other in official competition or friendlies—this will be their first-ever meeting.
USA Takes the Stage in Los Angeles
Later in the evening, the United States and Paraguay deliver the first clash between American nations at this World Cup. The US, hosting the tournament for the second time in history, arrives with a promising generation featuring Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic as leaders. In a November friendly, the Americans beat Paraguay 2-1.
Paraguay features several players from Brazil's domestic league, including Bobadilla from São Paulo and Palmeiras duo Maurício and Gustavo Gómez. They're back at a World Cup after 16 years—their last appearance was in 2010, when they reached the quarterfinals before falling to Spain, still their best-ever result. In South American qualifying for 2026, Paraguay finished sixth.
Opening Ceremonies: 90 Minutes of Spectacle
Both host cities will stage opening shows approximately 90 minutes before kickoff, mirroring Thursday's ceremony at Estadio Azteca. In Toronto, festivities begin at 2:30 PM ET with performances by Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Elyanna, Jessie Reyez, Michael Bublé, Nora Fatehi, Sanjoy, Vegedream, and William Prince.
Los Angeles' ceremony is scheduled for 8:30 PM ET and features a star-studded lineup: Katy Perry headlines alongside Brazilian superstar Anitta, plus LISA, Rema, and Future. The spectacle promises to set the tone for what could be a defining night for the host nation.
Where to Watch
| Match | Time (ET) | Broadcasters |
|---|---|---|
| Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | 4:00 PM | Cazé TV |
| USA vs Paraguay | 10:00 PM | Globo, sportv, ge tv, Globoplay, SBT, NSports, Cazé TV |
Key Players to Watch
Alphonso Davies (Canada · Bayern Munich)
The explosive left-back anchors Canada's defensive line and provides blistering pace on the counter. At 25, he's the face of Canadian soccer's golden generation.
Edin Dzeko (Bosnia · 40 years old)
The veteran striker leads Bosnia's attack with experience and composure. Despite his age, Dzeko remains the team's most dangerous weapon and emotional leader.
Christian Pulisic (USA · AC Milan)
America's captain and most talented player shoulders the creative burden. His form in Europe has been strong, and the home crowd will expect fireworks.
Gustavo Gómez (Paraguay · Palmeiras)
The commanding center-back brings Brazilian league pedigree and World Cup experience. His leadership will be crucial against a fast US attack.
FAQ
Why is this Canada's first time hosting a World Cup?Canada has appeared in two previous World Cups (1986 and 2022) but never as a host nation. The 2026 tournament marks the first time they'll play on home soil at a World Cup, co-hosting with the United States and Mexico across 16 cities.
What happened the last time USA and Paraguay played?The two teams met in a November friendly, with the United States winning 2-1. However, that was an exhibition match—this World Cup encounter carries significantly higher stakes as both teams aim to advance from the group stage.
Have Canada and Bosnia ever played each other before?No. Despite both nations having respectable international programs, they've never faced each other in an official match or friendly. Friday's game will be the first meeting in their football history.
When was Bosnia's last World Cup appearance?Bosnia last competed at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, 12 years ago. They qualified for 2026 by defeating Italy in the European playoff, a major achievement that ended their long absence from the tournament.