World Cup Takes Center Stage: Key Matches and Highlights

Updated June 12, 2026, 2:45 PM EDT By NBC News

What to Know About Today’s World Cup Matches

Today’s matches feature Canada facing Bosnia-Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET, airing on Telemundo and Peacock. The United States will play against Paraguay at 9 p.m. ET, also on Telemundo and Peacock. Recently, Mexico triumphed over South Africa with a 2-0 victory, while South Korea defeated Czechia 2-1. The tournament involves 48 teams across three host countries, all vying for soccer’s ultimate prize.

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Starting Lineups for Canada vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina

Here are the starting 11s for Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Canada hosts today’s game.

Ghana’s Partey Out of Panama Game Due to Visa Issues

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss their World Cup match against Panama on Wednesday after his visa application to enter Canada was refused, according to FIFA.

FIFA stated, “FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s Team Base Camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama…”

Partey remains with the Ghana squad in Boston. He can participate in their upcoming matches against England in Boston and Croatia in Philadelphia.

Partey, a former Arsenal midfielder now with Villarreal, has denied allegations of rape and sexual assault in the UK.

World Cup Opening Ceremony in Toronto

Nora Fatehi performed during the opening ceremony at Toronto Stadium before the match between Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Canada’s Dayne St. Clair Aims to Achieve Childhood Goal

Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair returns for his second World Cup, having moved from a defender to keeper, thanks to encouragement from coach Jerry Pennant. The transition involved significant competition and effort.

Canada’s Soccer Popularity Surges

Soccer has become increasingly popular in Canada, surpassing hockey in youth participation. Luke Reece from Mississauga reflects this growing trend. Despite not having tickets for today’s game, Reece plans to attend the World Cup in Vancouver.

Christina Linz, president of the women’s Northern Super League, believes these tournaments inspire new generations of fans and players.

U.S. Men’s National Team World Cup Prospects

Joe Prince-Wright, Nick Mendola, and Andy Edwards offer their predictions for the U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup performance.

Trump Will Not Attend U.S. Team’s World Cup Opener

President Donald Trump will not attend the U.S. opening match against Paraguay due to scheduling conflicts. The U.S. delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials.

Andrew Giuliani commented, “Expect the unexpected. Always expect a cliffhanger with him…”

As a sports enthusiast, Trump has attended various major events, like the NBA Finals earlier this week, greeted by boos.

Alphonso Davies’ Health Crucial for Canada

Canada will rely heavily on Alphonso Davies, despite recent injuries. Davies, with a history of success at Bayern Munich, is recovering from a hamstring injury that may limit his participation.

The ‘Milwaukee Messi’ Now Shines for Bosnia

Esmir Bajraktarević, dubbed the “Milwaukee Messi,” represents Bosnia-Herzegovina in this World Cup. Known for his ability and drive, Bajraktarević chose to play for Bosnia over the U.S. He recently helped Bosnia qualify by scoring a decisive penalty against Italy.

South Korea Levels Against Czechia

South Korean player Hwang In-Beom scored a goal against Czechia to tie the match, assisted by Kang-In Lee.

U.S. Favored in Group D

Experts rank the U.S. men’s national team as slight favorites in Group D, which includes Turkey, Paraguay, and Australia.

Canada Opens Tournament with Bosnia-Herzegovina

Canada will take on Bosnia-Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET, marking their third World Cup appearance. They aim to be the first CONCACAF team to defeat a European team in 13 matches since Mexico’s win over Germany in 2018.

Day One Highlights: Mexico and South Korea Victorious

Mexico defeated South Africa in a red-card-heavy match, while South Korea overcame Czechia. Julián Quiñones and Hwang In-beom were pivotal contributors to their respective team victories.