World Cup Day 2: What to Watch For
North America takes center stage on Day 2.
Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 victory over South Africa on Thursday night, becoming the first team to earn three points at this summer’s tournament. Later in the night, South Korea added another twist to Group A with a 2-1 comeback victory over Czechia in Guadalajara. Now, attention turns to Day 2, when Canada and the United States make their World Cup debuts in front of home crowds.
Canada is still searching for its first World Cup victory, while the United States enters the tournament with expectations unlike anything in a generation. Playing at home, simply reaching the knockout rounds may not be enough.
Here’s what to watch for on Day 2.
Canada Begins Its Home World Cup
Canada’s rise over the past decade has changed the country’s expectations.
After ending a 36-year World Cup drought in 2022, the Canadians enter this tournament with one of the most talented squads in their history. Friday’s Group B opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina marks Canada’s first World Cup match on home soil and an opportunity to take an early step toward the knockout rounds.
The challenge won’t be easy. Bosnia and Herzegovina also brings proven, led by veteran striker Ermedin Demirović, who had one of the best club seasons of his career and remains the center point of the Bosnian attack.
Bosnia and Herzegovina returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2014, knowing that a result against Canada could dramatically improve its chances of advancing from a competitive Group B.
A strong start would improve Canada’s chances of advancing and provide momentum heading into the rest of the group stage.
Prediction: Canada 2–1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Canada enters with more top-end talent and the advantage of playing at home, but Bosnia and Herzegovina has enough experience and attacking quality to make it difficult. Expect the Canadians to control possession for long stretches while Bosnia looks to attack on transition. Canada’s pace and attacking depth should be enough to secure a narrow victory and the first World Cup win in the nation’s history.
Player to Watch: Jonathan David
With Alphonso Davies unavailable, the attention shifts to Jonathan David.
The Juventus striker enters the World Cup as Canada’s all-time leading men’s goalscorer and the center of a Canadian attack expected to carry the country’s hopes on home soil. After years of starring in Europe, David arrives at the tournament as one of the most accomplished players in Canadian soccer history.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will likely look to stay organized defensively and limit Canada’s space in the final third. If Canada is going to secure the first World Cup victory in the nation’s history, expect David to play a major role in making it happen.
The United States Takes Center Stage
Now it’s the United States’ turn.
The Americans open Group D against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, kicking off a group that also includes Australia and Türkiye. With only three group-stage matches, a positive result on opening night could go a long way toward securing a place in the knockout rounds.
Standing in the way is a Paraguay side that quietly put together one of the strongest qualifying campaigns in South America. Paraguay conceded fewer goals than every CONMEBOL nation except world champion Argentina during qualifying and returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
Organized defensively and difficult to break down, Paraguay has become one of South America’s toughest opponents. Much of Paraguay’s attack runs through Miguel Almirón, whose pace and creativity have made him one of the country’s most important players for nearly a decade.
For the United States, this is the moment the current generation has spent years preparing for. Since the World Cup was awarded to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, players such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Tyler Adams have known they would eventually have the opportunity to play a World Cup at home. Now that moment has arrived.
Prediction: United States 2–2 Paraguay
Paraguay enters the tournament in excellent form and has built a reputation as one of South America’s most difficult teams to break down. The United States should use the energy of a home crowd and create chances through Christian Pulisic and its attacking midfielders, but Paraguay’s defensive structure could frustrate the Americans for stretches of the match. Expect a physical, competitive opener that ends with both teams earning a point.
Player to Watch: Christian Pulisic
Whenever the United States takes the field, the spotlight naturally finds Christian Pulisic.
Captain America enters the tournament as the team’s most dangerous attacking player and one of its most experienced leaders. Against a Paraguay defense that rarely gives opponents much space, moments of individual quality could make the difference.
If the United States is going to begin the tournament with three points, it may need its captain to deliver one of those moments only elite players can create.
Opening day belonged to Mexico and South Korea. Day 2 belongs to North America. Canada will try to make history on home soil, while the United States begins a World Cup journey that has been years in the making. By the end of the night, the picture in Groups B and D could look very different.