The USA make a stunning debut: Paraguay beaten 4–1. Canada draw

A mixed bag of results for the national teams of the two countries co-hosting the 2026 World Cup.

by Marco Bellinazzo

13 June 2026

Calcio - Coppa del Mondo FIFA 2026 - Gruppo D - Stati Uniti contro Paraguay - Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, California, Stati Uniti - 12 giugno 2026 Giovanni Reyna degli Stati Uniti festeggia il quarto gol con Antonee Robinson REUTERS/Lisi Niesner IMMAGINI DEL GIORNO DI TPX REUTERS

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

A mixed start for the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup. Canada could only manage a draw against Bosnia (in the match Italia would have played had they beaten Bosnia in the play-offs). The United States, on the other hand, did not disappoint, thrashing Paraguay 4–1.

Canada v Bosnia 1–1

In Toronto, at BMO Field (renamed Toronto Stadium), the Canada World Cup kicked off with a draw that was worth its weight in gold, as the hosts, having fallen behind, proved capable of staging a comeback and, above all, of staying in the game.

Bosnia, still bearing the label of Italia’s ‘nemesis’, got off to a better start: direct play, a focus on set-pieces, and a goal in the 21st minute when Jovo Lukic rose highest to head home from a corner, making it 0–1.

Canada came under pressure but didn’t crumble. In fact, in the first half they created plenty of chances but lacked precision, epitomised by Jonathan David’s lacklustre performance. The turning point came with the substitutions: manager Marsch increased the intensity and presence in the box in the second half, shifting the momentum of the match. The goal came in the 78th minute: Cyle Larin, who had just come on, collected an assist from Promise David, turned in a tight space and beat Vasilj to make it 1-1.

In the closing stages, Canada pushed hard and came close to victory, but had to settle for the first point in their World Cup history in front of their home crowd.

Bosnia secured a hard-fought European point through a well-managed, gritty performance, but were too passive in the second half to hope for anything more.

USA v Paraguay 4–1

A change of scene and location during the night in Italy. In Inglewood, Los Angeles, at the futuristic SoFi Stadium, the United States kicked off their World Cup campaign with a show of strength: a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, a result that highlights the gulf in quality between the two sides.

The match was effectively decided in the first half. By the 7th minute, the USA were already ahead: a move started by Pulisic and finished off by an own goal from Bobadilla broke the deadlock.

The second goal came in the 31st minute from Folarin Balogun, set up once again by Pulisic, the real star of the show (and a major source of regret for Milan this season), whilst the third goal came in the 45th minute plus 5 seconds, again courtesy of Balogun, who scored a brace and effectively sealed the match.

The second half was largely a case of managing the game, although Paraguay pulled one back in the 73rd minute through Mauricio, set up by Enciso. In stoppage time, in the 90th minute plus 8, Gio Reyna sealed the win with a masterclass of skill, curling the ball into the far corner, making it 4-1 and filling the Stars and Stripes fans with enthusiasm ahead of the next round of matches.

This is also because the United States are putting in a performance worthy of a seasoned side, with talent spread across the squad and a clear attacking identity, spearheaded by Pulisic and Balogun’s clinical finishing. What is most impressive is their control: over 60% possession and a constant sense of physical and technical superiority.

Paraguay, by contrast, is showing weaknesses in its defensive organisation and is struggling to keep up with the pace: for the South Americans, a return to the World Cup seems less like a dream and more like a rude awakening.