The 2026 World Cup has taken its first step: Group A already has a full picture after the opening round, and today, June 12, two more groups join the action. Canada opens their home tournament in Toronto, while the USA get underway in Los Angeles. Both matches carry their own tournament logic worth breaking down before kickoff.
Group A: Mexico and South Korea Set the Tone
After the first round of Group A, a clear hierarchy has emerged: Mexico beat South Africa 2–0, and South Korea came from behind to defeat Czech Republic 2–1. Both winners sit on 3 points, while Czech Republic and South Africa are yet to get off the mark. Group A's next round is on June 18: Czech Republic vs South Africa and Mexico vs South Korea. For Czech Republic and South Africa, it's already a must-win situation — a draw would leave both critically dependent on goal difference in the third round.
Group B: Canada Opens Their Home Account
Group B — Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland — gets underway tonight at 22:00 Kyiv time with Canada vs Bosnia in Toronto. For the hosts, this is their first official home match at a World Cup, and the pressure of a home crowd is a real factor. Bosnia, returning to the World Cup after a long absence, have motivation on their side, but Canada are playing at home and hold an advantage in midfield organization. Tomorrow at 04:00 Kyiv time, it's Qatar vs Switzerland in Santa Clara: the Swiss are traditionally reliable in the group stage and are favorites in that matchup.
Group D: USA Under Home Pressure
Group D — USA, Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey — kicks off tonight at 04:00 Kyiv time with the USA vs Paraguay in Los Angeles. The Americans play at SoFi Stadium in front of their own fans, and any result other than a win will immediately complicate their path. Paraguay are a disciplined defensive side capable of playing on the counter. Tomorrow at 10:00 Kyiv time, it's Australia vs Turkey in Vancouver: both teams start from zero and need points.
Scenarios
- Canada beat Bosnia → the hosts immediately take the lead in Group B and gain a psychological foothold ahead of their matches against Qatar and Switzerland. A draw complicates the picture and makes the third-round clash with Switzerland effectively decisive.
- USA beat Paraguay → the Americans secure a comfortable start and lower the stakes in their second-round match against Australia. A loss or draw turns Group D into an open four-way battle with an unpredictable finish.
- Qatar beat Switzerland (tomorrow) → a surprise scenario that would completely overturn Group B's hierarchy and raise questions about third place after just the first round. Switzerland are favorites, but Qatar are capable of upsets at major tournaments.
The Race for the Best Eight Third-Place Spots
With only two matches played so far — both in Group A — the third-place rankings have yet to take shape, as Czech Republic and South Africa both sit on 0 points and 0 goals. But after tonight, the first data from Groups B and D will emerge: teams that lose in the first round immediately enter the battle for a "rescue spot" in the best-eight third-place standings. The tiebreaker between third-place teams goes by points, goal difference, goals scored, disciplinary record, and FIFA ranking. So even in defeat, the scoreline matters.
Tonight answers two key questions: can both home sides — Canada and the USA — live up to their host status in their very first match? Tomorrow morning adds Australia vs Turkey and Qatar vs Switzerland, after which the picture in Groups B and D will become much clearer.
