World Cup 2026: First match for USMNT, Raúl Jiménez’ goal and more

Mexico kicked off the 2026 World Cup with a commanding 2-0 victory over South Africa at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. Julián Quiñones scored early in the first half, and Raúl Jiménez added a header midway through the second half, marking his first World Cup goal after overcoming a fractured skull injury in 2020. The win was emotional for Jiménez, who celebrated with tears as the home crowd roared in support. In the nightcap, South Korea secured a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, with all three goals coming in an exciting second half. The match showcased a late rally by South Korea, who overcame an early deficit. The United States and Canada both take to the field on June 12, aiming for strong starts in front of home crowds. Canada faces Bosnia-Herzegovina at 3 p.m. EDT in Toronto, seeking their first World Cup win after failing to score in their previous two appearances. Forward Jonathan David, who plays for Juventus, leads Canada’s attack as the team looks to build on recent progress in FIFA rankings. The United States opens against Paraguay at 9 p.m. EDT in Inglewood, California, with coach Mauricio Pochettino leading a team ranked 17th by FIFA. Forward Christian Pulisic enters the tournament in his prime, while Paraguay, ranked 47th, returns to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years. The match will be broadcast live on Fox, FS1, Telemundo, and Peacock in the U.S., with all 104 matches available through these networks. Mexico’s victory set a strong tone for the tournament, while Canada and the U.S. now look to capitalize on home-field advantage. For the Americans, advancing past the quarterfinals remains a key challenge, with Pulisic and Pochettino aiming to guide the team deeper into the competition.