The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

3:56 p.m.

Switzerland leads Qatar 1-0 at halftime in its World Cup opener. Swiss striker Breel Embolo calmly slotted home a penalty kick past keeper Mahmoud Abunada in the 17th minute to put the team ahead in a one-sided first 45 minutes.

3 p.m.

Play is underway between Canada’s next two opponents to kick off today’s action. Qatar and Switzerland meet at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in the second Group B match, a day after Canada opened with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto. Switzerland sits 19th in the FIFA rankings and is favoured to win the group. Canada is ranked 30th, followed by No. 56 Qatar and No. 64 Bosnia-Herzegovina. Canada faces Qatar on Thursday and Switzerland on June 24, with both matches in Vancouver.

1:26 p.m.

Two Peruvian police officers disguised as World Cup mascots Maple and Clutch helped arrest a suspected drug dealer during Thursday’s tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City. Maple is a moose representing Canada, while Clutch is a bald eagle representing the United States. Police in Lima said the undercover agents used a sledgehammer to break down a door before arresting 48-year-old suspect Carlos Cabrera. Authorities said they found 2,524 packets of cocaine base and a firearm.

12:10 p.m.

Police detained two people while investigating the possible theft of equipment from an England team vehicle in Kansas City, Missouri. The incident occurred last night as staff prepared the team’s base at Swope Soccer Village ahead of the squad’s arrival from Florida. The English Football Association confirmed the possible theft to The Associated Press but said it could not provide further information. England opens Group L play against Croatia on Wednesday at Dallas Stadium.

10:32 a.m.

The World Cup has gotten off to a strong start for the three co-host nations. Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over South Africa on Thursday, the United States followed with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay last night, and Canada earned a 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina earlier in the day. Host nations now have an all-time record of 18 wins, one loss and seven draws in World Cup openers, with Qatar’s 2-0 defeat to Ecuador in 2022 remaining the only opening-game loss by a host country.

10:23 a.m.

Canada is headed to Vancouver after opening its home World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto on Friday. Cyle Larin scored a late equalizer for Canada, which earned its first point in seven all-time World Cup matches. The Canadians will face Qatar on Thursday at BC Place before wrapping up group-stage play against Switzerland on June 24.

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10:20 a.m.

The FIFA World Cup arrives in Vancouver tonight when Australia faces Turkey in the first tournament match, 9 p.m., at BC Place. The game will provide the first World Cup test for the stadium’s new natural grass playing surface, a temporary pitch installed over artificial turf to meet FIFA requirements. The field is supported by irrigation, ventilation and UV-light systems and has undergone months of preparation ahead of the tournament.

10:15 a.m.

Ghana has protested Canada’s decision to deny Thomas Partey a visa for the World Cup and says it is considering legal action to overturn the ruling. The Ghanaian government said Canadian authorities found the midfielder inadmissible because he is awaiting trial in England on multiple rape charges, which Partey denies. Ghana opens its tournament Wednesday against Panama in Toronto.

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10:10 a.m.

Day 3 of the FIFA World Cup features four group-stage matches, beginning with Qatar against Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif. The day’s marquee matchup sees sixth-ranked Brazil take on seventh-ranked Morocco in East Rutherford, N.J. Haiti faces Scotland in a meeting of two teams returning to the tournament after long absences, while Australia opens its campaign against Turkey in Vancouver.

With files from The Associated Press.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

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