During the match between Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina, co-hosts Canada grabbed a second-half equaliser to draw 1-1 in the first FIFA World Cup game ever played on Canadian soil.
Cyle Larin got Canada’s goal after Jovo Lukic put Bosnia ahead with a header in the 21st minute in Toronto. The result gave Canada its first point in World Cup history. The Canadian side did not secure a single win in its two previous tournament appearances in 1986 and 2022, with six losses.
Nora Fatehi stars in Canada’s FIFA World Cup opening ceremony
Local girl turned global Bollywood icon Nora Fatehi starred in the launch of Canada’s portion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a grand opening ceremony performance. Apparently, Nora is a Canadian-born artist of Moroccan descent, who marked her official FIFA anthem debut with ‘Siir Siir’, a pumping track created alongside collaborators Vegedream and Sanjoy.
Singers Nora Fatehi, Vegedream and Sanjoy perform during the opening ceremony (Credits: Reuters)
The anthem’s title is directly borrowed from a famous Moroccan football chant that translates to “go, go.” The song blends the multicultural identities like that of Nora Fatehi with languages including Moroccan Darija, Arabic, French, and English.
Other visuals from the opening ceremony…
FIFA WC opening ceremony in Canada (Credits: Reuters)
FIFA WC opening ceremony in Canada (Credits: Reuters)
FIFA WC opening ceremony in Canada (Credits: Reuters)
FIFA WC opening ceremony in Canada (Credits: Reuters)
Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina match as it happened
Lukic’s goal from a corner sent the small but enthusiastic Bosnian contingent at the Toronto Stadium into a frenzy. Canada had the majority of play in the first half but failed to generate any real chances.
The stadium erupted in the 17th minute when forward Jonathan David had a clear shot on goal, but it was easily handled by Bosnian keeper Nikola Vasilj. Bosnia’s veteran defender Sead Kolasinac saved a certain goal when he diverted a strike from David onto the crossbar, extending Canada’s agony. But Larin’s strike in the 78th minute sparked hope for the Canadian camp. The hosts then missed a goal near the final whistle, failing to secure a win.
‘Deadpool’ star Ryan Reynolds marked attendance for his team, Canada
Canadian entertainment royalty attended the match at the home of the MLS’s Toronto FC, including film star Ryan Reynolds, from Vancouver, and Saturday Night Live and Austin Powers star Mike Myers, a Toronto native.
Bosnia-Herzegovina goalkeeper and Canada player collide inside box
During the first match, Nikola Vasij and Tani Oluwaseyi collided inside the box. The collision was so rough that both players fell flat on the ground. Fortunately, both of them escaped unhurt and were back on their feet for the rest of the match.
David Beckham, Tom Cruise spotted in the stands, Katy Perry features in the USA’s FIFA World Cup opening ceremony
Katy Perry performing in the USA’s FIFA WC Opening Ceremony (Credits: Reuters)
Hollywood star Tom Cruise and football legend David Beckham were spotted in the stands during USA vs Paraguay match (Credits: Reuters)
Folarin Balogun’s brace leads USA to 4-1 victory vs Paraguay
USA opened the home World Cup with 4-1 victory over Paraguay, riding on Folarin Balogun’s double strike. Notably, it was the USA’s biggest win in the tournament, a dynamic 4-1 victory over Paraguay in 32 years.
Christian Pulisic had an assist in a stellar first-half playmaking performance for the Americans, who enthralled their Southern California fans with an aggressive attack while streaking to a 3-0 halftime lead, the team’s largest in any World Cup game. Gio Reyna ripped another goal in the dying moments of second-half injury time, giving the Americans four goals in a World Cup match for the first time.
Mauricio scored in the second half for Paraguay, but La Albirroja fell too far behind early in their first World Cup match in 16 years. After the US went ahead on an early own-goal created by Pulisic’s playmaking, Balogun scored in the 31st minute and again in the fifth minute of first-half injury time.
Giovanni Reyna’s ‘wonder goal’ in the second-half injury time
USA were already winning with a 3-1 lead over Paraguay. However, USA striker Giovanni Reyna pulled off the trivela shot to generate outward spin on the ball and scored a goal almost from the box boundary. The last-minute goal not only pulled the USA’s lead to 4-1, but also gave a visual spectacle to the fans.
