Overview
- The United States delivered a dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice and Giovanni Reyna adding a late goal to seal the victory.
- Co‑host Canada salvaged a 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina after Cyle Larin came off the bench to equalise late, leaving Canada with a morale-boosting first point on home soil.
- Video assistant referees used new powers to correct a mistaken yellow card at the USA match when referee Danny Makkelie withdrew the original booking and instead cautioned Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón for simulation.
- Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States on security grounds but has since been named by UEFA to officiate the UEFA Supercup, underscoring how immigration controls are colliding with FIFA appointments.
- Off-field complications are mounting: Brazil will miss Neymar in its opener because of a calf injury, England reported vehicle break‑ins that may have targeted equipment, and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino’s joking remark about expanding the tournament drew rebukes from Italian officials, all of which increase scrutiny on tournament governance and security.