World Cup Day 2: Korea Beat Czechia, Tonight USA vs Paraguay and Katy Perry
Three opening ceremonies, first tournament surprise, and America's main match at SoFi with a world-class concert.
World Cup 2026 didn’t catch its breath after yesterday’s start in Mexico - and already delivered a full second day.
This morning Mexican time in Zapopan (Guadalajara) South Korea beat Czechia 2-1. First surprise? Not quite - Korea is steady at big tournaments, but Czechia looked dangerous and the match wasn’t a walk.
Afternoon attention shifted to Toronto: Canada’s opening ceremony before Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina. On stage - Alanis Morissette, Michael Bublé, Alessia Cara and a whole stack of stars. Canada is hosting a men’s World Cup for the first time - for the country this isn’t just football, it’s a national event.
Evening brings the main US block. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles is renamed for the tournament to Los Angeles Stadium (FIFA rules). Ceremony at 7:30 PM Eastern / 4:30 PM PT - ninety minutes before kickoff.
Show lineup: Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema, Tyla. If Shakira and Burna Boy dominated Mexico yesterday, today the Western Hemisphere answers with a pop machine at global scale.
USA vs Paraguay kicks off at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT. For the hosts this is the first real exam: home stadium, full SoFi, pressure of the co-host nation.
Paraguay isn’t a walkover. Tough team, knows how to sit deep and hit on counters. USA without a win on opening night gets instant negative press - here that’s not abstract, it’s a real media schedule.
Day 2 tally:
- Korea +3 points and confident tone in the group
- Canada opened its home World Cup under music and flags
- USA tonight either blows up SoFi or starts the tournament on edge
The ball’s rolling on day two. The month has only just begun.