The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

Canada’s head coach Jesse Marsch says captain Alphonso Davies will be available for tomorrow’s match against Qatar in Vancouver. Davies hasn’t played since early May when he suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Bayern Munich in a Champions League semifinal. Davies has been following return-to-play protocols since joining the national squad in Edmonton at the end of May.

9:00 p.m.

Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in the countries’ World Cup opener in front of 42,942 fans at Toronto Stadium. The Group L combatants wasted numerous chances to grab hold of the game until Caleb Yirenkyi tapped home a low cross in second-half stoppage time. Ghana’s next match is Tuesday against England in Foxborough, Mass., before Panama faces Croatia back in Toronto.

8:55 p.m.

Caleb Yirenkya scored for Ghana in the fifth minute of injury time for a 1-0 lead over Panama at Toronto Stadium in their Group L match.

8:10 p.m.

Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was replaced by Benjamin Asare to start the second half of his country’s match against Panama. Ati-Zigi needed treatment from trainers after a big collision in the Ghanian penalty area just before halftime.

7:53 p.m.

Ghana and Panama were tied 0-0 at halftime of a Group L match as rain fell at Toronto Stadium and fans from both countries turned the stands into a mosaic of red and yellow. Ghanaian keeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi was in discomfort after a multi-player collision late in the first half, but played on.

7 p.m.

Today’s second Group L match is underway at Toronto Stadium with Ghana taking on Panama. It’s the second of six World Cup games taking place in Toronto. Ghana is playing at its fifth World Cup, while Panama is in its second tournament.

6 p.m.

Jude Bellingham scored the winning goal early in the second half and England beat Croatia 4-2 in a high-profile World Cup match in Dallas. Harry Kane scored two first-half goals while Marcus Rashford also found the net for the Three Lions. Croatia kept pace with England in the first half through goals from Martin Baturina and then Petar Musa.

4:58 p.m.

England and Croatia were tied 2-2 at halftime in an eventful Group L game in Dallas. Captain Harry Kane twice put England ahead by a goal. But Croatia responded both times, first through Martin Baturina and then Petar Musa deep in added time.

4:12 p.m.

England is off to a fast start in its World Cup opener against Croatia in Dallas. Captain Harry Kane put England ahead 1-0 from the penalty spot in the 12th minute. England is the birthplace of modern soccer, but has only won one World Cup back as host nation in 1966.

3 p.m.

Another surprising result at the World Cup as Congo hangs on for a 1-1 draw with Portugal in Houston. Joao Neves scored early for the favoured Portuguese before Congo’s Yoane Wissa tied it late in the first half. Portugal dominated possession of the ball at 75 per cent, but that didn’t translate into an offensive edge as both teams had nine shots, three on target.

1:54 p.m.

Yoane Wissa scored late in first-half added time as Congo entered the break at Houston Stadium in a 1-1 tie with heavily favoured Portugal. Joao Neves scored in the sixth minute for Portugal, which seemed to be headed into halftime with a lead. Cristiano Ronaldo started at striker for Portugal. The 41-year-old is appearing in his sixth FIFA World Cup, a feat shared only by Argentina’s Lionel Messi.

1:30 p.m.

Qatar’s fans will be outnumbered in Vancouver for tomorrow’s match against Canada, but they’ll be making their presence felt in the city today. The team’s official supporters group says it will stage a march through downtown Vancouver at 6:30 p.m. local time, starting at the JW Marriott Parq hotel next to BC Place Stadium, where many of the well-heeled supporters are staying. Online videos show a contingent of Qatar fans arriving in the city Tuesday.

12:45 p.m.

Egypt and Iran are two of the most repressive countries for gays and lesbians. But by sheer coincidence, they will square off in a World Cup “Pride Match” on June 26 in Seattle, coinciding with the city’s annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. Both countries have asked for the celebrations to be cancelled.

11:40 a.m.

The World Cup’s early surprise star will have some extra support the next time he takes the field. The mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha has been granted a visa to enter the United States in time for her son’s match Sunday against Uruguay in Miami. The 40-year-old Vozinha became a sensation on Monday when he led the tiny African nation to a 0-0 draw with European giant Spain.

9 a.m.

Canada will hold its final training session today ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup clash with Qatar at BC Place. Questions remain about captain Alphonso Davies’ availability as the Bayern Munich star continues his recovery from a hamstring injury that kept him out of Canada’s tournament-opening draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina. Head coach Jesse Marsch is expected to provide an update as Canada looks for its first-ever World Cup win in front of a home crowd in Vancouver.

9 a.m.

Vancouver bars are stocking up on beer and adding staff ahead of Canada’s World Cup match against Qatar tomorrow after Australian fans nearly drank some establishments dry during last weekend’s tournament opener. Operators along Granville Street say business has surged since the World Cup arrived, with crowds filling bars, restaurants and other businesses around BC Place. Premier David Eby says the tournament has the city buzzing, while business owners expect another massive turnout when Canada takes the field.

8:45 a.m.

Toronto hosts its second World Cup match tonight when Ghana and Panama meet at Toronto Stadium. Canada opened the tournament at the venue with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday. Ghana and Panama are viewed as Group L underdogs behind England and Croatia, but both sides hope to make an early statement in their first-ever meeting. The match is the second of six World Cup games scheduled for Toronto during the tournament.

8:43 a.m.

A star-studded World Cup schedule is on tap today, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal opening against Congo before Harry Kane and England face Croatia in a marquee Group L showdown. England enters the tournament among the favourites, with Kane looking to add to his eight career World Cup goals and lead the Three Lions to a first title since 1966. The day also features Ghana against Panama in Toronto and World Cup newcomer Uzbekistan making its tournament debut against Colombia.

With files from The Associated Press.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

The Latest from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada

Our Community