Co-hosts Mexico kick off World Cup with dramatic victory

Co-host Mexico kicked off the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dramatic victory in their opening match. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, saw the US prepare to play their first World Cup finals game on home soil since 1994, facing Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, June 12, 2026. US head coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasized that success means winning every match, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in attendance for the opening fixture.