Group B: Canada–Bosnia and Herzegovina, today, 9:00 PM
Toronto Stadium, Canada
SVT/P4 Radio Sport
+ Canada's Golden Generation
Jonathan David (Juventus), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) and Tajon Buchanan (Villarreal) are the stars of a promising generation that Canada has produced. A stronger national team and an eight-match unbeaten run have for the first time raised expectations that Canada could go far in the World Cup. Less than a day before the match, however, the bad news came that team captain Alphonso Davies will not play in the opener. He is still suffering from the thigh injury that kept him out during the warm-up.
+ Pinning their hopes on a 40-year-old
That Bosnia and Herzegovina even made it to the World Cup by knocking out Italy and Wales in the playoffs was a minor sensation. Once there, they put their offensive hopes on 40-year-old Edin Dzeko. Having played for clubs such as Manchester City, Roma and Inter, he stands out in an otherwise anonymous squad. If there is to be a Bosnian party on the opening day, much rests on Dzeko's shoulders.
Group D: USA–Paraguay, tomorrow, 3:00 AM
Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood, USA
TV4
+ The star was carried off in tears
Julio Enciso had to be carried off on a stretcher in the 25th minute of Paraguay's 4-0 World Cup qualifier against Nicaragua at home in Asunción last week. The 22-year-old Strasbourg player was in tears as he was taken off the pitch, according to The Athletic. Scans revealed two minor injuries, one to the back of his thigh and the other to his waist. It is therefore uncertain whether the attacking midfielder will be able to start in the World Cup opener.
+ The '94 legend slams the American team
With his goatee, Alexi Lalas became one of the prominent figures when the World Cup was last played in the United States in 1994. In this year's tournament, he is an analyst on Fox Sports and has already criticized a US player after some players said they felt pressure before the World Cup.
A bunch of whiners complaining about the press, he said a few weeks ago.
He then went on to criticize US forward Christian Pulisic.
He is a fascinating player when it comes to talent but a frustrating player when it comes to personality, said Lalas and continued:
He's never going to be the leader people hope he'll be. That's okay because I think there are others who can do that. But he needs to be the star the team needs.
+ Trump snubs the World Cup opening match
Donald Trump will not attend the opening match of the World Cup in the United States. The president will be represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio instead. According to Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet, this is the first time ever that the host country's leader will not attend the opening match.
