The United States men's national team opened its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The win launched the US into Group D play as the tournament, now underway across three host nations, draws enormous global attention.
U.S. team captain Tim Ream described the scale of the event before it began. "Imagine, with this World Cup, a Super Bowl every single day for five weeks," Ream told CBS News, adding, "It's not an accident that 5 billion people will be watching."
The tournament opened June 11 with co-host Mexico defeating South Africa 2-0 in Mexico City. Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto on June 12, the same day as the US win. The group stage runs through June 27, with 104 total matches scheduled across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The US has two more group stage matches ahead. The team faces Australia at Lumen Field in Seattle at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, June 19, and then closes group play against Turkey at SoFi Stadium at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 25.
FOX and NBCUniversal hold broadcasting rights for the 78 games played in the United States, as well as the 13 apiece in Canada and Mexico. Viewers with a TV antenna or access to FOX through a smart TV can watch 70 of the 104 matches for free. The rest air on Fox Sports 1, a cable channel. A record 40 matches will air during primetime on FOX, according to the broadcaster. For Spanish-language viewers, every match airs on NBC-owned Telemundo or Universo. All matches are also available to stream through FOX One and other providers including YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV.
In other group stage action Monday, Egypt and Belgium drew 1-1 in Group G at Seattle Stadium. Midfielder Emam Ashour scored his first international goal in the 19th minute with a shot from 20 yards out to give Egypt the lead, according to Al Jazeera. It was Ashour's first goal in 30 international appearances. Belgium equalized in the 66th minute when substitute Romelu Lukaku entered the game and within 28 seconds forced an own goal off a cross from Thomas Meunier. Egypt coach Hossam Hassan had played Mohamed Salah centrally on the Liverpool star's 34th birthday. Salah was substituted off in the 75th minute.
