Canada Opens World Cup with Bosnia Match Amid US Tensions

Canada kicks off the World Cup in Toronto with an opening ceremony featuring Alanis Morissette and Michael Bublé. The host nation faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first group match. Alphonso Davies, who scored Canada’s first World Cup goal in Qatar, starts the tournament injured on the bench. The atmosphere in Canada contrasts sharply with that in the United States, where immigration policy, a trade dispute and the war with Iran dominate headlines. In Canada the focus is on unity and national pride surrounding the tournament. Nearly a decade ago Canadian, American and Mexican officials travelled together to secure the World Cup, a success John Kristick recalls as the United Bid Committee’s former director. He says the joint bid’s “community” theme was the thread that ran through the 1,500‑page bid book. The original bid pledged non‑discrimination for athletes, officials and fans, with respect for Indigenous peoples, migrants, minorities, women, LGBTQ+ and journalists. Canada continues to highlight those commitments, with Vancouver involving Indigenous groups in the event organisation and Toronto branding itself as a multicultural city. Several U.S. host cities have removed terminology deemed “woke” from their websites. The United States has barred fans from Iran, Haiti, Senegal and Ivory Coast, and warned that transgender visitors and those expressing pro‑Palestinian views may encounter difficulties at the border. Immigration‑and‑Customs Enforcement officers are expected at U.S. venues, and Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry at a U.S. crossing last weekend. Human Rights Watch’s Minky Worden says the tournament should not become “the worst in the class.” Football federation chairman Peter Augruso told a FIFA congress in Vancouver that diversity is a strength to celebrate. Canada’s coach Jesse Marsch, born in Wisconsin, criticised recent U.S. rhetoric, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino has met former President Donald Trump eight times and spoken once with Prime Minister Mark Carney.