World Cup what to know: Mexico starts with big win while the US and Canada prepare for openers

By — David Brandt, Associated Press David Brandt, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/world-cup-what-to-know-mexico-starts-with-big-win-while-the-us-and-canada-prepare-for-openers Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter World Cup what to know: Mexico starts with big win while the US and Canada prepare for openers World Jun 12, 2026 10:50 AM EDT Mexico opened the World Cup on Thursday with a dominant 2-0 win over South Africa in front of a boisterous home crowd at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium. On Friday, the United States and Canada both get their opportunity for a fast start in front of their respective home countries. WATCH: What to expect from the U.S. team as the World Cup approaches Julián Quiñones scored the first goal of the World Cup in the ninth minute, booting a cross through the legs of South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. El Tri made it 2-0 midway through the second half when veteran Raúl Jiménez delivered a header that found the back of the net. It was an emotional moment for Jiménez, who had tears in his eyes as Mexico's crowd roared in approval. Jiménez suffered a fractured skull after a scary collision in 2020, but has rebuilt his career and now has his first World Cup goal. WATCH: Roger Bennett on what to expect at the World Cup In Thursday's nightcap, South Korea rallied for a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, Mexico. All three goals were scored in an entertaining second half. What to watch June 12 Fox is the exclusive U.S. broadcaster of the World Cup with all 104 matches in English on Fox or FS1. All matches are also available on the Fox One app. Telemundo and Universo will broadcast all of the matches in Spanish. Peacock is the streaming home for Spanish-language broadcasts while Telemundo also has an app that includes all the matches. WATCH: World Cup players challenged by dangerously hot weather — Canada vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, 3 p.m. EDT in Toronto (FOX/Telemundo/Peacock) — United States vs. Paraguay, 9 p.m. EDT in Inglewood, California (FOX/Telemundo/Peacock) Canada seeks first World Cup win in Toronto The Canadians are searching for their first World Cup win when they face Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday after going 0-3 in both 1986 and 2022. Canada has been on the rise over the past decade in the soccer world, moving to No. 30 in FIFA's rankings after being ranked below 100 as recently as 2017. Forward Jonathan David — who plays for Italian club Juventus — is the country's career scoring leader with 39 goals in 77 matches. Bosnia is playing in its second World Cup and first since 2014, when the country was eliminated in the group stage. U.S. hopes games on home soil lead to World Cup breakthrough The Americans — who enter the tournament ranked 17th by FIFA — hope that matches on their home soil can lead to a World Cup breakthrough. The U.S. has advanced to the knockout round in four of the last six World Cups it