World Cup Day 2 What to Watch: The United States and Canada start their tournaments
The second day of the World Cup features the other two host nations after Mexico officially got the tournament underway on Thursday. Here's what you need to know as Group B and Group D get started and the United States officially begins its World Cup campaign.
Canada vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
Friday, June 12 | 3 p.m. ET | Toronto | TV: Fox
Odds: Canada (-125), Bosnia-Herzegovina (+340), Tie (+250)
The first World Cup game ever in Canada will be played without the country's most famous player. Bayern Munich left back Alphonso Davies is set to miss the game as he's still recovering from a hamstring injury. Davies was limited to just 23 games across all competitions for Bayern Munich this past season and made just eight starts. He's played only 32 league games over the past two seasons because of injury. He tore an ACL in March of 2025.
Without Davies on the left flank — he will play in midfield for the national team — Canada isn't as strong going forward on that side. Can Juventus midfielder Jonathan David and forward Cyle Larin help pick up the slack? A win will go a long way for Canada to get first in what looks to be an incredibly even group.
Bosnia-Herzegovina made the World Cup after knocking off Italy in a UEFA playoff final on penalties. The Bosnians are in their second World Cup as an independent nation and last made the tournament in 2014.
The team is led by 40-year-old striker Eden Dźeko and were absolutely scuffling before manager Sergej Barbarez was appointed in 2024. Since Barbarez has been the coach, Bosnia is a team that doesn't play the prettiest soccer and won't be dominating possession at the World Cup. But it's certainly an effective brand of play.
United States vs. Paraguay
Friday, June 12 | 9 p.m. ET | Los Angeles | TV: Fox
Odds: United States (-110), Paraguay (+320), Tie (+240)
Anything less than a win on Friday night can be considered a disappointment for the United States. The U.S. has never made it past the quarterfinals in modern World Cup history and can't settle for simply another one-and-done performance in the knockout rounds. Especially since 32 teams now qualify for the elimination stages.
Defender Chris Richards could return to the lineup after missing the two warmup matches because of an ankle injury suffered with his Crystal Palace club team. Richards is the United States' best center back. Yes, 35-year-old Tim Ream is the captain, but Richards' presence is desperately needed if the U.S. is going to make it to the quarterfinals.
Under coach Mauricio Pochettino, the U.S. is likely to play a 3-4-2-1 formation with wingbacks Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson pushed a little further forward into the midfield to provide width for Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie.
Paraguay will likely be without star attacker Julio Enciso after he suffered a knee injury a week ago in the team's last tuneup match. Enciso could return later in the World Cup.
Enciso plays behind striker Antonio Sanabria, who will now be the focal point of the Paraguay attack. Sanabria has made 48 appearances for Paraguay since his debut in 2013 but has scored just seven goals.
