The United States of America (USA) begin their FIFA World Cup challenge on Friday, taking on a savvy Paraguay side in a high-stakes match in Los Angeles.

The World Cup co-hosts know they must avoid a banana skin at the futuristic SoFi Stadium in the first World Cup finals game on U.S. soil for 32 years.

U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino says he expects his team to do much more than simply progress from Group D.

South Korea vs Czechia Highlights, FIFA World Cup

“For me, successful is to win. Is to win tomorrow. And win after,” the former Tottenham coach said on Thursday (June 11, 2026).

“If we don’t arrive to the final and we don’t win the World Cup, to talk about ‘successful’? I don’t know.”

A talented crop of U.S. players led by Christian Pulisic need to prove themselves against the world’s best, while dealing with the pressures of playing in front of their own fans.

Pulisic insisted the squad around him is “able to compete with anyone.”

“We want to be a real force in this tournament,” he told AFP.

FIFA World Cup 2026, Mexico vs South Africa highlights

“We’ve got three really good games to show everyone what we’re all about.”

Pochettino, an Argentine, has insisted his team need to be equal to the streetwise South Americans.

“We know we have to be ready to battle. It’s not about just playing beautiful football,” said Pulisic.

U.S. Secretary of State Mario Rubio will attend the opening match. President Donald Trump has said he would be present at other games in the tournament, without specifying which.

The game in Los Angeles will be preceded by a Hollywood-style opening ceremony featuring Katy Perry and a host of music stars.

In Friday’s (June 12, 2026) other game, co-hosts Canada go in search of the first World Cup win in their history as they tackle Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto.

Canada must do without their star player Alphonso Davies, who is still recovering from a hamstring issue.

Dramatic opener

The World Cup kicked off in dramatic fashion in Mexico City on Thursday (June 11, 2026) where Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy got the packed 80,000 crowd at the Estadio Azteca on their feet.

Co-hosts Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 in a game that featured three red cards.

Julian Quinones scored the opening goal of the tournament after nine minutes and 35-year-old striker Raul Jimenez headed in Mexico’s second at the Azteca, which became the first stadium in the world to host games at three World Cups.

There was a festive atmosphere inside the stadium, but outside dozens of protesters clashed with police in chaotic scenes.

Groups of teachers, relatives of Mexicans who have gone missing, and student activists gathered outside the stadium.

Some protesters broke through barriers and traded blows with police officers guarding the stadium’s perimeter moments after Mexico scored their opening goal.

Mexico’s victory launched a 48-team tournament that will culminate in the final in New Jersey on July 19.

South Korea got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start by beating the Czech Republic 2-1 in the opening day’s second game.

Until the 80th-minute mark, it seemed that the Czechs would punish the Koreans’ wastefulness in front of goal, but substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu notched the decisive goal in a Guadalajara stadium that was far from full.

The start of the action on the pitch will have come as a welcome relief to football’s world governing body FIFA, which has faced stinging criticism over the eye-watering cost of tickets.

In addition, Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has seen a top referee, Iranian team officials and fans refused entry to the United States,

Infantino portrayed Iran’s participation at the World Cup in the midst of its military conflict with the US as a victory for his organization, claiming he did not know if any other body could have pulled it off.

Four days after they arrived at their base camp in Mexico, the Iran players finally allowed reporters to watch them train Thursday.

They face New Zealand in Los Angeles in their first game on Monday (June 15, 2026).

Published – June 12, 2026 12:54 pm IST

On June 11, 2026, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will begin in North America, bringing together teams from across the globe. The tournament, to be jointly hosted by three countries and staged across 16 cities, will feature an expanded field of 48 teams, making it the largest edition in the competition’s history.

More than 1,000 footballers are expected to represent their countries, with each team permitted to name up to 26 players, including three goalkeepers.

Here is the list of FIFA World Cup champions from the inaugural edition in 1930 to 2022.

1930 FIFA World Cup, Uruguay

Thirteen nations — Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, France, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, USA, Uruguay and Yugoslavia — took part in the inaugural World Cup. The hosts clinched the title, defeating Argentina 4-2 in a pulsating final.

Champions: Uruguay

Runner-up: Argentina

Third place: USA

1934 FIFA World Cup, Italy

Italy lifted the trophy after edging past Czechoslovakia in Rome. With the scores locked at 1-1 after regulation time, the hosts struck in extra time to secure victory.

Champions: Italy

Runner-up: Czechoslovakia

Third place: Germany

1938 FIFA World Cup, France

Italy became the first side to retain the World Cup, overcoming Hungary 4-2 in the final.

Champions: Italy

Runner-up: Hungary

Third place: Brazil

1950 FIFA World Cup, Brazil

The competition returned after a 12-year hiatus owing to World War II. Played in a new group format, the tournament ended with Uruguay stunning hosts Brazil 2-1 in the decisive match

Champions: Uruguay

Runner-up: Brazil

Third place: Sweden

1954 FIFA World Cup, Switzerland

West Germany secured their maiden title with a dramatic 3-2 victory over favourites Hungary.

Champions: West Germany

Runner-up: Hungary

Third place: Austria

1958 FIFA World Cup, Sweden

Brazil claimed their first World Cup crown, defeating Sweden 5-2 in the final.

Champions: Brazil

Runner-up: Sweden

Third place: France

1962 FIFA World Cup, Chile

Brazil successfully defended the title, registering a 3-1 win against Czechoslovakia.

Champions: Brazil

Runner-up: Czechoslovakia

Third place: Chile

1966 FIFA World Cup, England

England triumphed on home soil, beating West Germany 4-2 after extra time in the final.

Champions: England

Runner-up: West Germany

Third place: Portugal

1970 FIFA World Cup, Mexico

Brazil’s celebrated side capped a dominant campaign with a 4-1 win over Italy.

Champions: Brazil

Runner-up: Italy

Third place: West Germany

1974 FIFA World Cup, West Germany

West Germany claimed their second title, defeating the Netherlands 2-1.

Champions: West Germany

Runner-up: Netherlands

Third place: Poland

1978 FIFA World Cup, Argentina

Argentina lifted their maiden World Cup, beating the Netherlands 3-1 in the final.

Champions: Argentina

Runner-up: Netherlands

Third place: Brazil

1982 FIFA World Cup, Spain

Italy secured a third title, their first since 1938, with a 3-1 victory in the final in Madrid.

Champions: Italy

Runner-up: West Germany

Third place: Poland

1986 FIFA World Cup, Mexico

Argentina prevailed 3-2 in an absorbing final against West Germany.

Champions: Argentina

Runner-up: West Germany

Third place: France

1990 FIFA World Cup, Italy

West Germany avenged their 1986 defeat, edging Argentina 1-0 in Rome.

Champions: West Germany

Runner-up: Argentina

Third place: Italy

1994 FIFA World Cup, USA

Brazil claimed a fourth title, defeating Italy in a penalty shoot-out after a goalless draw.

Champions: Brazil

Runner-up: Italy

Third place: Sweden

1998 FIFA World Cup, France

France secured their first title on home soil, overcoming Brazil 3-0 in the final.

Champions: France

Runner-up: Brazil

Third place: Croatia

2002 FIFA World Cup, Korea/Japan

Brazil won a record fifth title, defeating Germany 2-0.

Champions: Brazil

Runner-up: Germany

Third place: Turkey

2006 FIFA World Cup, Germany

Italy clinched their fourth crown, prevailing over France on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Champions: Italy

Runner-up: France

Third place: Germany

2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa

Spain lifted the trophy for the first time, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in extra time.

Champions: Spain

Runner-up: Netherlands

Third place: Germany

2014 FIFA World Cup, Brazil

Germany triumphed over Argentina 1-0 in the final, courtesy of an extra-time goal.

Champions: Germany

Runner-up: Argentina

Third place: Netherlands

2018 FIFA World Cup, Russia

France returned to the summit with a 4-2 win over Croatia.

Champions: France

Runner-up: Croatia

Third place: Belgium

2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar

Argentina claimed their third title in a memorable final, holding off France in a penalty shoot-out after a 3-3 draw, with Lionel Messi playing a decisive role.

Champions: Argentina

Runner-up: France

Third place: Croatia

Published – June 11, 2026 03:30 pm IST