The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and Day 2 brought a breakout first half for the United States, a split screen of opening day attention for Canada and the USMNT, and fresh tournament scenes from Houston to Oakland as group play continued across North America.
On the day both the Canadian and United States men's soccer teams opened their World Cup campaigns, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 54, opted to attend the U.S. game in Inglewood, California, rather than watch his native Canada. Trudeau was not in attendance as his countrymen fought back to a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Canada's World Cup opener as a host nation in Toronto. Instead, he chose to support his girlfriend, Katy Perry, as the 41-year-old pop star performed in the opening ceremony before the United States faced Paraguay.
During the first half, Trudeau and Perry were seen sitting together in one of the luxury suites at SoFi Stadium as the Americans raced out to a 3-0 lead behind two goals from striker Folarin Balogun and a Paraguayan own goal. The Canadian game kicked off in Toronto at 3 p.m. ET, while the United States began play at 9 p.m. ET, 6 p.m. local time, in Southern California.
United States leads Paraguay 3-0 after first half
The United States leads Paraguay 3-0 after a sensational start to its 2026 World Cup campaign in Los Angeles. The U.S. raced out of the blocks and took the lead when Weston McKennie's cross was turned into the Paraguay net by midfielder Damián Bobadilla. Monaco striker Folarin Balogun then added the second goal, and a third in first-half stoppage time to cap a perfect opening half.
With the opening ceremony done and the anthems sung, the United States took the field in Inglewood to make its mark on the tournament against Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium.
DR Congo arrives in Houston ahead of Portugal opener
The Democratic Republic of Congo team caught the eye as they arrived at their training camp in Houston. Honouring their nickname "The Leopards," the players wore tailored leopard print suits and also sported styled leopard bags. The country is participating in a first World Cup in 52 years, and begin their campaign against Portugal on Wednesday.
During DR Congo open training at their camp in Houston, one attendee wore a clown mask. There is not really a story behind the mask; the man is just eccentric. The expression "comité de freinage," or "braking committee," is a slang term originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It refers to a group of friends or supporters who gather to "brake," or unwind. The mask does not really convey that meaning.
World Cup fever scenes across the United States
A lively scene unfolded at a watch party in Oakland, California, at the home of the Pioneer League's Oakland Ballers. A packed watch party also filled the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a massive venue in downtown LA, as World Cup fever arrived in true LA fashion, not a moment too soon.
At a sports bar in suburban Dallas, someone brought a Vuvuzela and drew cheers every time she blew it. At the local sports shop in Santa Clara, Mexico shirts sold out yesterday.
Outside headquarters in New York, a reporter wearing a Lionel Messi Argentina shirt with the third star survived semi-aggressive heckling from Brazil fans excited for their game against Morocco tomorrow.
In San Francisco, one transit sign excluded the words FIFA World Cup and read like a high school poster. Scanning the QR code would deliver train times for upcoming games, but the branding would not make that obvious from the sign itself.
