World Cup 2026: Canada and USA enter the competition as Mexico opens with a win, while McTominay fitness provides a boost amid empty seats
The opening days of the expanded World Cup brought a mix of football, ceremony, controversy, and reflection as Canada, the United States, Scotland, Brazil, France, Portugal, and Paraguay prepared for their group-stage matches. Mexico’s Raúl Jiménez scored in an emphatic opening win over South Africa, while the match also produced disciplinary chaos, including a second-half red card for South African defender Yaya Sithole. The result sparked harsh criticism of South Africa’s performance and set the tone for a tournament already being shaped by dramatic moments on and off the pitch.
Canada’s tournament debut as a host nation generated strong interest in Toronto, where fans gathered ahead of the team’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Jesse Marsch made history as the first American-born manager to lead a foreign country at a FIFA World Cup. Bosnia, however, arrived with confidence after a strong qualifying campaign and a reputation as dangerous underdogs. Their coach Sergej Barbarez and forward Ermedin Demirović both stressed that the team had already earned respect and should not be underestimated.
Scotland’s camp also drew attention, with midfielder Scott McTominay recovering from a stomach issue in time to train before the opener against Haiti. Scotland’s preparations included a surprise morale boost from chef Gordon Ramsay, while supporters discussed the challenges of late kick-off times and expensive tickets. England’s schedule was also outlined as fans looked ahead to a difficult group stage.
Brazil’s buildup centered on Carlo Ancelotti, whose arrival as coach has reportedly transformed the atmosphere around the squad. Goalkeeper Alisson praised the veteran manager’s calm authority and winning pedigree. Brazil begin their campaign against Morocco in New Jersey. France, meanwhile, faced scrutiny around Kylian Mbappé as Ousmane Dembélé defended his teammate against excessive criticism, insisting that Mbappé remains a leader and a human being who deserves more respect.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo expressed optimism ahead of what will be his sixth World Cup, saying the team must start strongly, win the group, and take each round one match at a time. Paraguay, led by Gustavo Alfaro, were described as a difficult opponent who have rebuilt into a competitive side, while the United States prepared for their opening match against Paraguay amid high expectations and a planned ceremony featuring major music acts.
The tournament also revived debate about fan attendance, ticket pricing, stadium atmosphere, and broadcast choices. Some readers argued that empty seats reflected excessive costs rather than poor demand, while others blamed changing football culture and commercialisation. A notable statistic from the opening matches was the strong television audience for the first game, underlining the continued appeal of free-to-air football coverage.
There were lighter moments too, including discussion of a Bosnian World Cup song, a gorilla in Mexico City supporting Uruguay, and a reflection on how sport can create intense emotion without altering everyday life. Elsewhere, archival World Cup memorabilia, including Pelé’s 1958 winners’ medal, was reported to be heading to auction.
