USMNT's transformational win, Canada's sluggish start, and Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada. World Cup Dispatch.

The US, Canada, and Mexico have all put their home openers in the rear-view mirror to varying success. Canada will want to revisit their 1-1 draw with Bosnia, while the US roared out to a 4-1 trouncing of Paraguay. The action on the pitch has lived up to the World Cup hype, even as issues persist across every aspect of the games. 

Thomas Partey is not allowed into Canada for Ghana’s opening match. 

Visa issues have been front and center during the lead up to the World Cup, thanks to the prejudicial immigration policies of Donald Trump’s administration. However, a different type of visa issue has hit the competition on the eve of Ghana’s opener. Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry into Canada regarding his 2025 AND 2026 charges of rape and sexual assault by the London Metropolitan Police. Partey pleaded not guilty to all charges in both his 2025 and 2026 introductory hearings.

The trials are ongoing, and while Ghana has supported his claims of innocence, Canada is staying true to its immigration policies and not allowing Partey to cross the border from Ghana’s basecamp in Rhode Island, telling The Athletic:

“The safety and security of Canadians is our priority as we welcome FIFA World Cup participants and visitors from around the world. That is why IRCC applies its rules consistently and without exception, regardless of nationality, profile, or role in the tournament.”

So, Partey’s controversial inclusion will be front and center throughout the group stage and beyond. For now, Partey will be allowed to play in Ghana’s matches against England in Foxboro and Croatia in Philadelphia. 

Anyways, Scotland open their campaign tonight:

USMNT 4 - 1 Paraguay

Mauricio Pochettino’s Showtime USMNT took care of business against Paraguay in incredible fashion last night. The press was on. They dominated possession, allowed just one shot on target, just shot two attempts in the first, and scored by both circulating possession and running down the throat of Paraguay’s defensive structure before they could settle into their deep block. 

It was a masterclass, and while Paraguay isn’t a top 10 opponent, it’s still a CONMEBOL side that only lost 1-0 to Brazil in qualifying and beat Brazil and Argentina en route to qualifying for this World Cup. All of that to say, this wasn’t the US beating up on Haiti – a team the USMNT has only beaten 2-1 when they played last June, mind you – this was the US completely controlling the match like a legitimate top side in the world. 

81% field tilt from 63% possession, 491 passes to 236 passes, 68% buildup success to Paraguay’s 39%, 65% progression success to Paraguay’s 29%, and worlds of success building down the channel. 

The US’s ability to disorganize Paraguay was evident from the first kick. Weston McKennie’s movement through the midfield, especially his run off of Pulisic’s shoulder on the opening goal, created problems for Paraguay’s back line, which was extended by both Dest and Robinson staying wide and Balogun staying central. 

The attacking group pushed high, and while this specifically helped in the attack, it was also the consequence of the US’s active press. 

The first goal was officially ruled an own goal, but Balogun’s next two goals were undeniable. Goals in the 31st and 50th minutes ushered Balogn to the top of the early Golden Boot standings, a well deserved reward for one of the best USMNT performances we’ve ever seen at a World Cup. 

“It’s my first World Cup, and to start with two goals and I couldn’t ask for much more. I’m very happy.” Balogun reflected post-match.

Christian Pulisic was also in awe of Balogun’s performance in the mixed zone, saying, “Not much else to say, the kid’s insane. He’s lethal right now in front of goal, we’re really lucky to have him.”

The US wasn’t quite as effective following Pulisic’s sub at halftime – a sub the Pochettino says is related to a knock in training this week, but a knock that the manager doesn’t see as a long-term issue.

Paraguay was able to score on their only shot on target in the 73rd minute, but the US was able to push the goal differential back to +3 with Gio Reyna’s last-second goal following a 26-pass sequence. 

This goal was peak Gio Reyna.

He played a key role in linking the midfield into the attack, had to be separated from Kaku by Tyler Adams, completed his late run to get onto the end of Alex Freeman’s pass, and smashed a trivela past Orlando Gill. 

There wasn’t a single bad performance across the 90 minutes. It was a transformational outing for the USMNT. 

Now, Tyler Adams’s yellow card potentially shows some cracks bubbling under the surface, given the lack of a true Adams replacement on the roster, but that’s a problem for later this month. 

Player Spotlight

While Balogun will rightfully take the plaudits, Malik Tillman’s performance was equally important. Tillman missed his big chance of the night, but it was his progressive actions, his positioning, his 85% passing – most of which were in the attacking half – while creating the joint-most chances throughout the match. 

Pochettino’s USMNT take on Australia on Friday, and they’ll want to put themselves in pole position with 6 points.

Canada 1 - 1 Bosnia & Herzegovina 

There is no clear favorite to advance out of Group B and Friday’s draw cemented that idea. 

Both of these teams are great... but flawed.

Canada may have had the better of play, and certainly controlled the match following BIH’s opening goal, but it was Bosnia’s set piece dominance that kept this match level.

Jovo Lukić’s opening goal gave the watch parties in Bevo a moment of ecstasy – making good on 1.0 xG from set-pieces to Canada’s 0.2 – but Canada’s possession and momentum heading into the half created a sense that the Dragon’s would not be safe with a 1-0 lead.

Fortunately, Jonathan David’s misses kept Bosnia ahead, World Class clearances from Nikola Katić and Saed Kolasinac kept Bosnia on top – and a rough Ermedin Demirovic miss kept the match in reach – but the dam finally broke when Cyle Larin turned Katićand launched a laser into the bottom corner. 

So, it ends 1-1. 

Regardless of dropping the lead, Sergej Barbarez was happy with the result:

“We were playing against a host, their opening match, a full stadium, 80% Canadian supporters … It was a huge pressure and a huge compliment that my team did not succumb.”

A just result, even if Canada seemed like they had more in the take. However, it was a tale of a solid defensive group against a dynamic attacking group, with both sides reaching a stalemate in open play on the other side of the ball.

Does this match end differently if either Edin Džeko or Alphonso Davies can play?

Absolutely, but these are the hands these teams were dealt, and the result reflects that. 

Player Spotlight

Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemovic led the match with 21 (!) clearances, highlighting both the pressure Canada was able to exert on the Bosnian defenders and how often those defenders stood tall under pressure, with Canada failing to push enough numbers forward.

The 23 year old CB highlights the youth movement within this BIH squad. If 2014 was the culmination of a Golden Generation, 2026 is showing how sustainable this current run can be, assuming UEFA qualifying doesn’t experience massive changes ahead of 2030.

We roll on with 4 games today, highlighted by Brazil and Morocco at 5 PM central and Australia vs Türkiye at 11 PM. We’re just getting started, folks. 

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