Canada, USA Kick Off World Cup Campaigns as Toronto Manages Congestion

Anticipation is building across North America as the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially begins, featuring opening matches for two of the host nations. Canada is poised to make history by playing its inaugural home World Cup fixture in Toronto this afternoon, while the United States prepares to launch its campaign later tonight.

Canada will face Bosnia-Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET at Toronto Stadium, marking a significant moment for the team as they seek their first-ever World Cup victory. The squad will be without star Alphonso Davies, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. However, defender Moïse Bombito is reportedly fit and available for selection after recovering from a broken leg. The Canadians will be looking to improve on their previous winless appearances in 1986 and 2022.

Later this evening, the United States Men's National Team kicks off its tournament at 9 p.m. ET against Paraguay. Led by coach Mauricio Pochettino and key player Christian Pulisic, the Americans are considered favorites in this matchup. The U.S. will aim to continue their strong performance history, having reached the knockout rounds in four of their last six World Cup appearances.

Meanwhile, the city of Toronto, one of the 16 host cities for this expanded 48-team tournament, has already seen an impact on daily life. Commuters experienced an unusually light rush hour this Friday morning, with public transport reporting fewer crowds. This follows city advisories encouraging employers to allow remote work or flexible schedules to mitigate expected World Cup-related congestion. The Ontario government has also permitted public servants to work from home temporarily during daytime matches, acknowledging the significant influx of visitors expected for the global event.