USA blast out of the blocks and Canada get first ever point: World Cup Daily

Summary

Football Weekly: USA Blast Out of the Blocks and Canada Get First Ever Point – World Cup Daily

The Guardian | June 13, 2026
Hosted by Max Rushden
Panel: Barry Glendenning, Pablo Maurer, Seb Hutchinson

---

Main Theme

Day 2 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is dominated by the USA's electrifying 4-1 victory over Paraguay—their most commanding World Cup result since 1930—and Canada earning a gritty, historic first point at the tournament after drawing 1-1 with Bosnia & Herzegovina. The panel breaks down these matches, analyzes standout performances, discusses tactical nuance, delves into tournament stories, and looks ahead to the next day’s fixtures.

---

Key Discussion Points

1. USA 4-1 Paraguay: A Historic, Relentless Performance

The Shock and Awe (01:09–02:36)

• Pablo Maurer admits to being “completely shocked” by the US’s dominance:

  “My own pregame prediction was 2–2… So no, I’m—I mean, I’ll just be realistic. I’m shot. I’m completely shocked. It’s ridiculous.” (01:26)

• Reference to Past Glory:
  Only rivalled by the 3–2 win over Portugal in 2002, but that game almost slipped. This was “the most complete 90 minutes the US has ever played at a World Cup.” (02:16, Pablo Maurer)

The Relentless USMNT Press (03:12–04:50)

• Barry Glendenning:
  Raves about Pulisic, the fullbacks, and midfield dominance:

  “They were just rampant. The two fullbacks were pressing up high. Runners were getting forward ahead of Balogun. Midfielders were changing positions at will and the Paraguayans... just didn’t know how to cope.” (03:13)

• Seb Hutchinson:
  Weighs whether it was USA brilliance or Paraguay's failings, ultimately credits the US press and depth:

  “Their press was superb… even when Paraguay scored, the US responded. They could have scored several just minutes after conceding… The first 20 minutes I thought this is one of the worst World Cup performances I’ve seen from a side. But we have to give the US the credit.” (04:50)

Christian Pulisic: Leader, Star, and Advert Hero (05:05–06:23)

• Pulisic’s Impact:
  Pulisic is the face of the team, featured in ads, and “unplayable” in first half before subbed at halftime for precaution.
  • “His footwork for that first goal is so, so good.” (05:28, Max Rushden)
• Pablo’s View:

  “It almost is like he let his game do the talking, period… when their top-level players play well, they’re an exceptionally good team.” (05:28–06:23)

Highlight Goals: Balogun Brace & Gio Reyna’s Statement (06:23–10:04)

• Balogun’s clinical finishing:
  Detailed by Barry and Pablo—closes from a Pulisic cross, “side-footed home curled in inside the post.” (07:01–07:23)
• Gio Reyna’s Redemption:
  Reyna covers his ears after scoring—a nod to his much-discussed issues at the previous World Cup.

  “I think you saw that in his celebration, obviously: just sort of like, can we put this to bed? No, we can’t.” (09:25, Pablo Maurer)

• Seb on the significance:

  “For me, it was the best goal of the night… when I see a performance like that today, it’s… the kind that would cause any team in this competition problems.” (09:51–10:23)

Paraguay’s Woes and Home Pressure (12:19–13:49)

• Paraguay’s collapse dissected:
  Their defensive records in qualifying are starkly contrasted to being “completely overrun” and conceding four.
  • “Give up a goal up… after six, seven minutes… in front of 70, 80,000 people, you’re kind of cooked.” (13:35–13:49, Pablo Maurer)

VAR Fun: Mistaken Identity Segment (13:49–14:55)

• Notable VAR moment:
  Explanation and light banter on VAR overruling Tim Ream’s yellow and instead booking Almirón for simulation.
  • “I didn’t… I didn’t feel very much like a very sort of loose interpretation of the rules… but the more I thought about it, the more sense it made.” (13:54–14:46, Pablo Maurer)
• Seb on the referee’s decisiveness:

  “That’s the most decisive I’ve ever heard a referee.” (14:46)

---

2. Canada 1-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina: History and Heartbreak

Canada’s Historic First Point and Missed Opportunities (15:40–17:09)

• Barry Glendenning:

  “Canada, I suspect, will feel they left it behind them, but they’ll be glad to have finally got a point in a World Cup game… I didn’t enjoy Michael Buble singing before the game.” (16:04)

• Max’s View:
  Canada “clearly the better team” but went behind and needed perseverance and relief for the equalizer. (17:09–17:21)

Jesse Marsch, Manager and Talking Point (17:21–18:17)

• Marsch’s antics:
  Described as “hyperbolic reactions to everything. Extremely over the top human being and head coach.” (17:21, Pablo Maurer)
• Pundit skepticism and anthem remarks:
  Discussion about American pundits’ mixed feelings on Marsch, and the awkwardness of his statements about US players and the anthem.

  “What I will say is, I think it’s… like, a rich comment for an American who’s coaching the Canadian national team to make.” (17:56, Pablo Maurer)

Syed Kolasinac: Defensive Heroics (18:35–19:23)

• Barry:

  “He was sensational… heading everything away. And then that goal line clearance off the crossbar was quite sensational. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like it.” (18:45)

Tactical Moments and Key Incidents (21:53–23:30)

• Seb Hutchinson:
  Praises Kyle Larin’s impact and notes atmosphere at Toronto’s stadium, referencing “traditional” vibes compared to NFL stadiums. (19:53–21:33)
• Debate on Red Card for Goalkeeper:
  Panel argues over the fairness of not sending off the Bosnia keeper for clattering a Canadian attacker (“punched the Canadian player in the head with both fists”).

  “If the risk you take if you don’t pull out of that challenge is that you get a red if you happen to punch the dude in the face with both of your hands… I think it’s a very clear red card for me.” (22:56–23:08, Pablo Maurer)

---

3. Around the Tournament: News, Preview and Color

Thomas Partey Denied Entry to Canada (24:08–24:58)

• Ghana’s Thomas Partey is ruled out for legal reasons—context is given but legal matters aren’t debated.
• Barry:

  “If Ghana had done even the most perfunctory bit of research into Canadian immigration guidelines, they would have known this was almost certainly going to happen.” (24:58)

Looking Ahead: Brazil-Morocco, Scotland Return, and More (25:07–32:35)

• Brazil vs Morocco previewed as the tournament’s first heavyweight clash. Panel notes unpredictability as “this might be the first tournament where I don’t have the expectation [of Brazil].” (25:35–26:53, Seb Hutchinson)
• Scotland-Haiti:
  Scotland’s big return, Haiti’s “dark arts,” and a shirt controversy over Haitian revolutionary imagery. Discussion on tournament expansion and quirkiness. (28:20–31:21)
• Australia-Turkey:
  Touted as a likely “dogged, board draw,” with curiosity about both sides. (32:12–32:35)

England News: Stolen Equipment and Lineup Notes (32:35–32:51)

• Match balls and boots stolen, which Max quips: “Welcome to America, baby.” (32:51)

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Context | |-----------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:26 | Pablo Maurer | “I’m completely shocked. It’s ridiculous.” | | 02:16 | Pablo Maurer | “It has to be the most complete 90 minutes the US has ever played at a World Cup.” | | 03:13 | Barry Glendenning | “They were just rampant… runners getting forward ahead of Balogan…” | | 05:28 | Max Rushden | “…his footwork for that first goal is so, so good.” | | 05:28 | Pablo Maurer | “It almost is like he let his game do the talking, period.” | | 09:01 | Pablo Maurer | “The first thing he did when he scored the goal was cover his ears… celebration, obviously: just sort of like, can we put this to bed? No, we can’t.” | | 10:23 | Seb Hutchinson | “It’s the kind that would cause any team in this competition problems.” | | 13:35 | Pablo Maurer | “You give up a goal up… after six, seven minutes… you’re kind of cooked.” | | 14:55 | Seb Hutchinson | “That’s the most decisive I’ve ever heard a referee.” | | 18:45 | Barry Glendenning | “He was sensational… and then that goal line clearance off the crossbar was quite sensational.” | | 22:56 | Pablo Maurer | “If… you happen to punch the dude in the face with both of your hands… I think it’s a very clear red card for me.” | | 25:35 | Seb Hutchinson | “We’ve been waiting for a game like this between a side who’s considered one of the favorites...” (on Brazil–Morocco) |

---

Tone and Color

• Informal, witty, insightful, occasionally irreverent.
• Frequent asides on quirky World Cup details, media coverage, and hotel living.
• Lighthearted moments: debates over curry colors, sandwich etiquette, and panelist injuries.
• Running banter about pundit antics, VAR oddities, and national icons like Michael Bublé.

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• USA vs Paraguay discussion: 00:59–15:33
• Canada vs Bosnia-Herzegovina: 15:40–24:08
• Headlines (Partey legal issues): 24:08–25:07
• Previewing the next day and group analysis (Brazil-Morocco, Scotland-Haiti, etc.): 25:07–32:35
• End-of-show color, listener mail, and in-jokes: 32:35–39:01

---

Conclusion

This episode celebrates the USA’s powerful opening statement and Canada’s history-making resilience while analyzing tactical aspects, VAR chaos, managerial quirks, and the color of World Cup life. The panel balances deep football knowledge with Guardian Football Weekly’s trademark mischief and camaraderie—whether the talk is on Pulisic’s brilliance, Scottish hope, or the existential question of sandwich etiquette in a shared LA hotel room.

---

Transcript

[A]

This is the Guardian.

[B]

Hello and welcome to the Guardian Football Weekly, Day 2 of the World cup. And let the Christian Pulisic loving commence. The US demolished Paraguay. They were relentless from the off. A brace for Balogun Western. McKenney dominated midfield and Sozinho Dest was brilliant on the right. Might they be good? Good. Also today, Canada fight back to draw with Bosnia Herzegovina. For a lot of the game it was just Syed Kalasinac just heading everything away and clearing one sensationally off the line. Jesse Marsch made some good changes and the pressure finally paid off. It was the least they deserved. We look ahead to tomorrow's games. Scotland, Australia and Brazil all playing and then to the big stuff. Listeners trying to diagnose Barry's ankle injury while has the ham come out? All that plus your questions. And that's today's Guardian Football Weekly. On the panel today, Barry Glendenning. Welcome.

[C]

Hello.

[B]

First ever pod for the Guardian, US soccer reporter Pablo Mauer. Pablo, hello.

[A]

How are you doing?

[B]

Yeah, good. Good to have you. On and out in Houston, Seb Hutchinson. Hey, Seb.

[D]

Hi, Max. Hi, everyone.

[B]

Nice to have you on. Let's begin then with that amazing victory for the USA in LA. 41 over Paraguay. The largest margin of victory for the US at a World cup since 1930, where they beat Paraguay again and Belgium 3 nil. They were really relentless from me off. Were you expecting that, Pablo?

[A]

I mean, yes and no. I think mostly no. My own pregame prediction was 2, 2 Paraguay, you know, pretty defensively sound team typically, you know, hard nosed, hard charging South American team. So no, I'm. I mean, actually, I'll just be realistic. I'm shot. I'm completely shocked. It's ridiculous.

[B]

You changed a lot in the last 10 seconds.

[A]

I did? I don't know, I was trying to couch it or something. I mean, it was absolutely ridiculous.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

You know, where did it come from?

[A]

I have no idea. I mean, you know, it is a home World cup, obviously it's a huge crowd at SoFi. The US looked very good in their final tune up against Germany, but I did not expect that at all. I didn't expect that out of Pulisic. I didn't expect that out of McKinney. Certainly in a ballot. I mean, it's just. It's ridiculous. Yeah, yeah, it was fun. It was fun. It's rare to have fun watching the US so I'm thankful for that.

[B]

Yeah. And would you say the best ever US performance you've seen at a World Cup?

[A]

I mean, it has to be the Only thing that would compete would be, you know, their opening group stage game in 2002 when they went up three nothing against Portugal. But they very nearly. They very, very nearly drew that game. They played a pretty terrible second half, and they played a pretty serviceable second half in this one. So, yeah, it has to be the most complete 90 minutes the US has ever played at a World Cup, I think, bar none.

[B]

Yeah, Barry. I mean, we have always. We have always been big fans of Christian Puddic on this podcast. Others have doubted him, but we never had. And. And finally all that love and praise from us paid off in that first half.

[C]

Yeah, he was quite sensational and unplayable. And the fact that the guy who's supposed to be trying to contain him, Cerus, got booked quite early. Certainly didn't help Paraguay, but Pulisic was the standout player in the first half. But there was so many good American performances. Weston McKenney, Sergino Des, Anthony Robinson.

[B]

Tyler Adams was great.

[C]

Tyler Adams for Florin Baligan. They were just rampant. They were. The two fullbacks were pressing up high. Runners were getting forward ahead of Baligan. The striker just gave them so many options. Midfielders were changing positions at will and the Paraguayans didn't. Just didn't know how to cope. I was certainly surprised by this performance. This was the best game of the tournament so far, and this was by a mile. The best performance. Yeah.

[B]

Are we trying to gauge how might they be good? Good? Seb.

[D]

I don't. I was caught in two minds. I thought, how far off it are Paraguay here? I was really worried for a second after seeing South Africa in the opening game and then covering an excellent game between South Korea and Czech Republic. And I just thought, oh, Paraguay aside, that this. They've just been completely blown away by the US in this. In this game. But is it more about them? But the more the game went on, I truly believe. I just think the US Got it right. I definitely think it's the best performance I've ever seen from them at a World Cup. The game against Portugal from over well over 20 years ago was mentioned, but this felt the complete performance from them. Their press was superb. Paraguay couldn't get out when they tried to go long. They were losing the jewels. There were some moments when they had some technical security in forward areas in the US Half, but those chances were smothered. And even when Paraguay scored in the second half, the US Responded. They could have scored several goals just minutes after they conceded that goal. So I'd like to think it was the US's performance that is the main thing to take from this because the first 20 minutes I thought this is one of the worst World cup performances I've seen from a side. But we have to give the US the credit on this particular occasion.

[B]

Yeah. And look, we mentioned Pudii there, Pavlov, but he's kind of, he is the face of this team. You know, he's on the ad. He's on a great advert for Wells Fargo with some referees in a cafe and he brings out a credit card. But, but he was like as Baz said in that first half. I know he was taken off at halftime. We don't, at the, at the moment, we don't know why but like his footwork for that first goal is so, so good.

[A]

I think it's interesting to me, I mean having spoken with Christian and really in the last six months, obviously has extended goal scoring and assist route and he was, you know, almost be irritated to be asked about it. He'd be irritated to be asked about his. That sort of stuff does a bit of an eye roll, that kind of stuff. You know, a little heavy breathing size and I mean I really genuinely had doubts about him coming into this tournament. I mean he's played well again, played well in the two May games, but I was just blown away, man. It almost is like, like he let his game do the talking, period. But I was surprised, honestly. You know, in the us. I mean they are a good team when their top level players play well. They're not a deep enough team to where they can get away with somebody like Christian Pulisic or Chris Richards or Weston McKinney. Any of these other guys having off nights and when they all have good nights, I mean they're an exceptionally good team. You know, obviously this is a World cup, you can't really sustain that and get those sorts of performances, you know, five, six, seven games. But, but tonight was fun.

[B]

Yeah. And there was a great moment. They had the hydration break which we're all finding slightly frustrating and you know, and the US are so dominant. And then you said there's no way this break doesn't benefit Paraguay. And as you said it, Baligan scored that disallowed goal. It was that the timing was perfect but then he scored like a second later. And actually Baz, that was a. I mean there were two brilliant finishes. I don't know who you prefer out the Baligan one and the, the Gio Rayner one.

[C]

I like both. I think Baligan's was Probably the, the better. I don't know.

[B]

Carry on.

[C]

Yeah, well, you know they. They can both be good.

[B]

Yeah, it's true.

[A]

I mean G G had like more sauce though.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It was like a little more flair.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Well, the Balagung bon he. He side footed home curled in inside the post after a. A good cross from Pulisic who had run onto that long ball from Anthony Robinson. I, I found it quite funny in this game. I watched I think two hours of Fox TV coverage in the build up to the game.

[A]

I'm so sorry.

[C]

And I was thinking you, you could be forgiven for thinking there is only one team playing in this match because the. I don't think they mentioned Paraguay at all until they were giving the Paraguay lineup. But then the game started and there was only one team on the pitch. Basically. The Fox coverage is quite something, I have to say.

[B]

I really do like. Our UK audiences won't be seeing this, but Alexi Lalas is standing next to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and they are starting some sort of strange. I don't know if it's a bromance. I don't know if, if Zlatan is just going. What are you talking. I mean, you know Alexi Lalas a bit. Pablo.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. I think Fox is pretty calculated putting the two of them together, you know, two, two huge personalities. The difference for me is. And you know, I like Alexei as a person. I think he's actually pretty decent at his job too. But you know, Zlatan is Zlatan.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Alexi is a pretty good defender for the US Obviously Zlatan Ibrahimovic is an all time great, you know, so I don't. There's only so much stick that there's a lot of time I was going to take from. From Lawless.

[B]

You know, possibly we did see Arian Reader and Lexi Lamas did call James Gordon a full kit wanker on live television. And Rebecca Lowe, the British host was like, I think you can you say that here. I'm not sure. Said we should talk about the Gio Reina finish because actually it rounds off this performance, doesn't it? At 3 1. It was a little bit nervy, but they rode that out pretty well. But for that moment and Gio Reina's had a pretty checkered time of it in his career. It's such a. Was that an understatement, Pablo?

[A]

Well, yeah, I mean the first thing he did when he scored the goal was cover his ears of course, you know, because he's. I mean he's another one like Krishna. You ask him about what happened in Qatar. You know, nearly got sent home from the tournament and the whole ensuing thing with the Burhalter stuff. You know, he has just answered it to death. To the point where, you know, in May, when I saw him at camp, the only question I had for him is, are you tired of being asked about this?

[B]

You know, it's a good way of asking the same question.

[A]

I know.

[D]

Yeah, exactly.

[A]

I was going to. Right. And that's why they pay me the medium books, I guess. And, I mean, I think you saw that in a celebration, obviously, just sort of like, can we put this to bed? No, we can't.

[B]

But, Seb, I know you. You and I bond over beautiful camera angles of beautiful goals, and that from behind Gio Rayner's foot, just as you. And it wasn't quite in the corner. For it to be perfect, it needs to curl from outside the goal in. But let's not take too much away from him in this moment.

[D]

Yeah. I mean, for me, it was the best goal of the night, obviously, and aesthetically pleasing. And the camera angles always help that. And the thing about Gio Rayner is that he. He had that one season at Nottingham Forest, which feels people just forget about.

[B]

I have forgotten about because.

[D]

Exactly. Yeah. In this. In these many seasons of being at Dortmund, and for a player who's still only 23, it feels like he's been around for so long. And I felt with this US team coming into this tournament, there's been a lot of debate around how good are they? Do they have the actual elite quality to maybe go deep into the competition? But they certainly seem like. When I see a performance like that today, it's the kind of. That would cause any team in his competition problems. And if you can, which we're already seeing, use your squad and take advantage. And I've noticed in games already that managers have been taking off important players, even when the game's not won, and replacing them with other players in the squad that you think may be in a normal game, in a. Nor normal conditions. For many of these teams, you'd have players that would last the 90 minutes, but they're. They know it's about the starters and the finishers, phrases we've heard in recent years, and this was an example of it. Raina coming off the bench, adding a touch of quality when the opposition's tired. And Paraguay don't have the depth that the US have. And this could be key. And it makes the tournament quite unpredictable, actually. And I know none of the favorites have played yet, but there's things I've seen already in this competition that make me quite excited for it and the possibilities of what we might see going forward.

[B]

Now, while we were having a delicious Thai red curry cooked by one of us, one of. One of us announced, paraguay are better than people think they are. And who's who said that?

[C]

That was me, Max. And you're doing this thing you do where you mislead listeners by pretending something happened that didn't actually quite happen in the way you suggested.

[B]

Do correct me.

[C]

Yes. You said, I don't know anything about Paraguay. Can anyone give me a steer? And I said, I think they're better than people think they are.

[B]

Right. It sounds like that's what I.

[A]

You really did a lot with that question. You even tried to get us to admit publicly that you made dinner. You know, like, are you okay?

[C]

And while we're at it, I ate it. It was very nice, but I would have sworn it was a Thai green curry.

[A]

All right.

[B]

Well, it was a. I mean. I mean. Potato. Potato, I think. I'm not.

[C]

Well, it was green. It was literally green.

[B]

There was a lot of green in it. That's not the point. Paraguay. The question really was they were hopeless in this game. And it's hard to know if they were just bad because the US Was so good.

[C]

I think that was certainly a factor because their midfielders were completely overrun. They were gesturing and pointing at each other as various American zoom past and playing at great speed, zippy little passes, long balls, true balls, overlaps, underlaps. And they just couldn't cope. They were supposed to be. I think people thought they were bad because they stank the place up at the last Copa America. But then Gustavo Alfaro came in, this Argentinian coach. They did really well in South American qualifying. I think they only lost one match away from home. They only conceded 10 goals in games. They've conceded four this evening, and they could have conceded a lot more. So I suspect they won't be that bad when they play Australia. Who knows how they'll get on against Turkey, but that's a very damaging defeat because they've now got a goal difference of -3. And even the goal they score, that could be very important to them.

[A]

I mean it. Stay in the obvious, too. You give up a goal up to any team after 6, 7 minutes in the opener of a home World cup In front of 70, 80,000 people, you're kind of cooked, you know, it's like, you know, did not rise to the occasion after that happened.

[B]

So we should talk about the VAR mistaken identity bit, because that was quite fun, Pablo, wasn't it?

[A]

Yeah, I was actually. I mean, it took me a minute to put together what's happening.

[B]

Right.

[A]

I was. One of the rule changes to this World cup is they can use VAR to overturn yellows and reds that are issued to players. You know, that obviously in the case of mistaken identity. But I've always perceived that as like, you have a mass confrontation, somebody gets a straight red because somebody punched somebody, it turns out, with somebody else. But this was kind of wild. I mean, it was, you know, you saw Tim Ream kind of force Miguel Almiron down into the corner, Almaron rounded him, Ream got a little stuck in, foul ensued. Ream got a yellow. And then the replay obviously was pretty clear that Miguel Almiron took a dive. So in that way it was a mistaken identity on a yellow card because Almiron deserved the yellow for simulation. But I didn't felt very much like a very sort of loose interpretation of the rules or something. But the more I thought about it, the more sense it made.

[D]

By the way, can I say Danny Macaulay, when he spoke to the crowd, that's the most decisive I've ever heard a referee. He whacked that out and explained it. Bang, bang, bang, bang.

[A]

I think he saw the ref in the Mexico game yesterday, really struggling. Couldn't be me.

[B]

Although I forgot to mention this yesterday and Robin Coward sent me the same text at the same time. I put it in the script. It was very weird yesterday to see a ref come out and say after review and not say after review. I was really hoping that ref had a broad northern accent like everyone else. Just Don Pulisic. Pochettino said after the game he received a kick on his calf, felt tight at the end of the first half. We didn't want to take any risks. It was difficult for him to walk. But hope it's not a big issue. Can be ready for the next one. So well done, the U.S. well done, Christian Pulisic. And that'll do for part one. Part two, we'll look back at Canada versus Bosnia Herzegovina.

[A]

Foreign.

[B]

To Part two of the Guardian Football Weekly. Yeah, we have live shows in September. 1st of September, Vicar street in Dublin. 8th of September, Soho Theater in Walthamstow. As we said yesterday, the good people of New York sold out the show in five minutes. So come on, good people of Dublin and London, don't let us down. Just go onto our social media to find out how to get tickets. Canada won. Bosnia Herzegovina won. I. I really enjoyed this game, Barry.

[C]

Yeah, I thought it was a good game. I thought Canada, I suspect, will feel they left it behind them, but they'll be glad to have finally got a point in a World cup game, I think at their seventh attempt or something like that. I didn't enjoy Michael Buble singing before the game.

[B]

Michael Booble is how to pronounce it,

[C]

I'm told.

[A]

I'm told. I don't appreciate his word, but I'm pretty sure it's Michael Buble.

[B]

He's Michael Booble to me.

[A]

Not a big Christmas.

[C]

I think of all the Canadian male artists they could have had and they picked Michael Booble.

[B]

Yeah, I suppose Michael Christmas bauble kind of works, doesn't it?

[C]

Alanis Morissette, she gave a good, stirring rendition of All Canada.

[B]

Good stuff.

[C]

But, yeah, good game. Canada probably should have won. They had far more chances than Bosnia. Will they be happy with the point? They need to win this group to stay in Canada, and obviously that's what they want to do. So this isn't a great start for them, but it could have been worse.

[B]

Yeah, I was really impressed, actually, with that. They kept going. I mean, they're clearly the better team in this game, but it's hard when you're one nil down. You're one nil down for a long part of the game. You sort of think it's ebbing away. But they did just keep on keeping on.

[A]

I mean, they had to be immensely relieved to get the equalizer at home again, at home, in front of a home, proud home World Cup. I mean, it very quickly could have gone south for them. Enjoyed. I think one of my favorite parts of watching Canada generally is just looking at Jesse Morsh's hyperbolic reactions to everything. Extremely over the top human being and head coach. But no, I mean, he's slightly strange.

[B]

I mean, I don't know, he saw, you know, he didn't do brilliantly in the uk and I think there was a lot of that kind of, you know, here's an American talking about football stuff, you know, Ted Lasso comparisons. But it was interesting on the coverage here that the. The American pundits didn't like him.

[A]

Well, I mean, this comes off what he said yesterday, I guess, you know, so that he had to convince American players to sing the national anthem. I just think it's. Look, I don't really care about that. I'm not the most patriotic dude in the world, you know, but I. What I will say is I think it's a. It's like a rich comment for an American who's coaching the Canadian national team to make, you know, I don't know really how that logic works, but. But yeah, no, they had to be incredibly relieved. Yeah.

[C]

If I could just be slightly pedantic.

[D]

Please do.

[C]

I don't think there were Ted Lasso comparisons when Jesse Marish was at Leeds because I don't think Tate Lasso had. Was a thing.

[B]

Oh, I see.

[A]

So he was just a run of the mill incompetent American coach.

[C]

Maybe Ted Lasso easy inspiration for Jesse Marsh.

[B]

It's possible, isn't it? We should. Barry, talk about Syed Kalasinac, who was sort of this one man hero. It was like the whole of Bosnia on his back as he headed it and headed it and headed it away.

[C]

He was sensational. He played a part in the goal. His was the flick on from which Jova Lukic nodded home. Bad defending there from Canada. I thought the goalkeeper probably could have done a bit better as well. Maybe I'm being harsh on him. Mr. Kwai ran out of position from his place at the near post. That allowed Kalasnich. He was heading everything away. And then that goal line clearance off the crossbar was quite sensational. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it.

[A]

He did, he did. He did keep laryn on though, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

On Canada's goal.

[B]

Oh, yeah, he did, yes.

[A]

I'm not, not taking anything away from, you know, it's a well rounded performance, you know, like.

[B]

No, no, you're very fair. And I don't mean to be pedantic back Barry, but Ted Lasso first ed in 2020 and Jesse Marsh was at Leeds in 2022.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

Okay. I have a team of producers. I have a team of producers fact checking these things. They're not against you, they're just checking the facts. I'd like to point out what did you.

[C]

I've never known them to check the fact before.

[B]

Okay, are you getting paranoid?

[A]

What should have them taste your curry?

[B]

What did you make of this game, Zeb?

[D]

Do you know what stuck out to me? Obviously Kyle Larin, he had a really impressive time of things with Southampton. Obviously you know what happened with Southampton at the back end of the season. But the 16 games he played in the Championship were part of the reason why they went on the run. They did. We know some of the other reasons why. But he was part of the reason why. And I thought that his finish Was fantastic.

[B]

To be fair. It took a big deflection.

[A]

Yeah. Not to be pedantic.

[D]

Yeah, we do have to be. Yeah, we're fact checking everything now. It made me think Kinac, if he's able to keep off, you know, armed robbers trying to jack his car with Ozil at that time, I think he can defend some balls into the box from Canada. But yeah, going back to Karl Aaron, the other thing that struck me about that game was the stadium. I think something about Toronto Stadium feels very traditional. And when we think of all the modern grounds obviously used in tournaments like this in these grand NFL stadiums. And then I see the Toronto one, which I know I'm going to be doing a game at soon, I can't wait to go there. It just felt like it was. They were close to the pitch, they were close to the action and that helps the atmosphere. What's also interesting is people are getting a bit confused about whether stadiums are full or not because of the color of the. Some of the seats and obviously with some of the teams playing. So I think some, you know, some people thought there were a lot of. Lot more empty seats than they were in the South Korea game. But that's because South Korea. Red, red. Same with this. In the Canada game, I saw people saying they're empty. A lot more empty seats than they were. And they. And just people wearing red shirts. So the aesthetic, aesthetics for a World cup are so important because as time goes on, you look back at those tournaments and the way they look will be a big part of the reason why you remember them so well.

[A]

I mean, if you. If you go do a game there, it is a fantastic stadium. But make sure you climb to the top of the like temporary modular seating they've installed at one end of it. It's like really the most terrifying view in all of. All of global football. You know, like whatever you do, don't look over the back railing. You know, it's like get vertigo.

[B]

And we should give Jesse Myers some credit because he made a triple change, didn't he? In the in on the hour mark, which actually made quite a big difference. So well done to him for that. And there was this moment where. And I'm definitely in the minority here in the studio. I don't know what you think. Barry, who was. Who was through. I. It's Vassilj Wassil was through and the keeper came out and punched the ball and then caught him on the BBC coverage. Wayne Rooney thought it was a red. Darren can, the former Premier League assistant referee Said the ref got it right. You think? I felt at the time it wasn't a red card, but Barry and Pablo, you certainly disagree with me.

[C]

I think it would have been an unfortunate red card for Vasilich because I don't think there was any malice in his action. But when he punched the ball, he followed through with both fists and punched the Canadian player in the head with both fists. Now, if that was a slight tackle and he followed through with his foot or both feet, he will be off. I don't see how there is any difference in doing that with his hands.

[A]

I entirely agree. I mean, I'd say if you're. If the risk you take if you don't pull out of that challenge is that you get a red if you happen to punch the dude in the face with both of your hands, which is what happened. I don't. I don't necessarily think it was intentional, but I think it's a very clear red card for me.

[C]

I. I think he would have been very unlucky. But I. I'm baffled that Darren can. Thinks it was the referee's decision. I. I don't. I didn't want to see him get sent off. But I'm baffled that a Premier League former Premier League assistant referee thinks that isn't a red card if.

[A]

If Wayne Rooney is signing with a goalie.

[B]

It's a slightly odd group, isn't it, with Qatar and Switzerland. Baz to sort of know sort of as you were in a way, I guess.

[C]

Yeah. Qatar, Switzerland. That's the first game tomorrow our time. It isn't one I've marked in my diary, as you know, unmissable. But I will watch it. Obviously Canada and Bosnia or Vina will be hoping they draw as well, I guess. And Canadians of Qatar next. They should win that. Bosnia Herzegovina has the Swiss. That's a tough assignment. If Canada beat Qatar, they're into the next round. Their main objective will be to stay in Canada.

[B]

On the subject of Canada, Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada. Will not be available for Ghana's first World cup game in Toronto on Wednesday. He was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in July 2025 by the Metropolitan Police. Pleaded not guilty. He now plays for Villarreal. He was subsequently charged with two new counts of rape in February. Also pleaded not guilty. He was allowed to enter the US with the rest of Ghana's squad on the 4th of June. Has been a training camp in Boston. They're in the same group as England. Kickoff against Panama. In a statement on Friday, FIFA confirmed that his visa application had been rejected by the Canadian government. Rob Harris from Sky News reporting that U.S. u.S. Authorities said the U.S. is aware of the pending court case for Mr. Party. However, at the time, he has not been convicted of a crime and was admitted to the US after being issued a visa. Because the court proceedings are active in the uk, we can report what's happened, but we can't discuss the story.

[C]

If Ghana had done even the most perfunctory bit of research into Canadian immigration guidelines, they would have known this was almost certainly going to happen.

[B]

All right, well, that'll do for part two, Part three. We'll look ahead to tomorrow's games. Welcome to Part three of the Guardian Football Weekly. So, Qatar, Switzerland, Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland and Australia, Turkey. There are some big games we've touched on. Qatar, Switzerland, not the biggest game of the day, which Seb. I'd say Brazil, Morocco is almost the first really big game we have in this tournament. Right?

[D]

Yeah. And we've been waiting for a game like this between a side who's considered one of the favorites. I know some people, a lot of people are writing Brazil off, but I, I think you have to keep them in that mix, taking on one of Africa's best sides, let's put it frankly. And these are always the games when World Cups come in the group stage. And you're looking forward to a few of these. I mean, we have another one this week in Japan against the Netherlands. That's another example of that. This is going to be fascinating. I don't know what to make of this one. I can't really even make a prediction. Usually history tells us that Brazil will win this 2 nil and Morocco will miss some big chances. But it's hard to read this Brazil side because to be frank, we haven't seen enough of them. And often with Brazil, they have such, obviously a large diaspora of players and big pool of players. But we. Every tournament that that passes in my life, you get more and more surprised by some of the names that are in the squad. And so now you wonder and you think how good actually are they? Will they put it together, that unknown thing that ticks and, and it might. There's. I don't have expectations from Brazil and I've always had expectations from Brazil. This might be the first tournament where I don't have the expectation. And that makes me think they'll probably go deep into the tournament because that's the way football works.

[B]

Yeah. How do you say it, Baz?

[C]

A hard one to call. I suspect Brazil will probably win it. I am looking forward to it immensely because Morocco are a very, very good side, but I can't call this one. The thing about this extended competition is even if either of them lose, it doesn't really matter. So that, that, that is what annoys me about this. These group stages, because of the way

[D]

they've seeded it and they have. They put these top four seeds in to avoid each all the way to the semi finals. There might be some planning ahead. If you're a side and thinking, right, you're looking at your route ahead, perhaps, and maybe there is some jeopardy in that.

[B]

Perhaps who you might incoming second or third, I don't know.

[D]

For example, if England finished second in their group, all of a sudden they're on a really hard side of the draw. So you can't throw any games away or you can't rest on any games per se, that I, I'm. I'm giving something to the format.

[A]

Yeah. We were talking about today after the, you know, I see that US performance and I'm like, you know, if I'm a US fan, I'm thrilled by it. At the same time, it takes so much juice out of the last two games. I understand they're still playing to win the group, obviously, but, you know, like, they're practically qualified at this point. You know, it's just like, I hate this. I mean, they must. They should pretty much just go to 64 teams at this point if they're going to do something like this.

[B]

We'd make the previews long.

[A]

That's true. Right, yeah.

[B]

Scotland begin their first World cup since 1998 against Haiti. And obviously because Brazil and Morocco are in this in their group, Barry, and we've talked about it before, like, it is a big. It's a big game for them. They've got. I mean, they should be confident. Right. You've done some Haiti research and I don't want to write them off, but Scotland have to win this game.

[C]

Yeah. Oh, absolutely. There is a presumption Haiti are going to be rubbish. And I don't know enough about them. I didn't know Wilson Isadore famously didn't know Wilson Isadore was played for them. This is Scotland we're talking about. They have a history of hilarious defeats against opposition that should have no business beating them. I don't. I'm not. I don't think the Scotland players of this vintage are going to carry that baggage into the World cup, but it is, it's Always there, hovering in the background. Clearly don't know enough about the them to know whether they're going to pose Scotland too many problems. But I am slightly worried about this presumption everyone seems to have that they are going to be useless. They must have something about them. I did notice they've been forced to very late by FIFA to change their jerseys. Oh really?

[A]

Yeah. For. For political speech. Yeah.

[B]

Oh yes. Cuz that's an old war from the 1800s Netherlands.

[C]

Some revolution from, from the 1800s was depicted in silhouette on a. A section of their jersey. So they've had to scramble to get new kit on the eve of the game, which is aggravation. I'm sure they could have done without. And I suspect they're probably the only team in the tournament who have a former Oldham player.

[B]

Andy Richie.

[C]

Lionel Joseph.

[A]

I mean, look, I will say about Haiti and I hate to paint with two parter brush, but they're a team from concacaf. It's like you, you are going to have to deal with a bit of the dark arts. They're going to be an extremely scrappy, borderline violent team. That's the way that teams from that region, you know, play generally. That's, that's not like a. I'm not stereotyping the United States plays that way occasionally. They'd probably be better had they played more that way past years, you know. But there is a reason that Haiti, through, you know, sheer force of will qualified for this tournament, you know, so I wouldn't, I wouldn't overlook them.

[C]

You know, I just name checked Lionel Joseph. Yes, I meant to say Roger Joseph.

[B]

Roger Joseph.

[C]

No, the former olden player is their goalkeeper, Johnny Placide.

[B]

Right, Okay.

[C]

I hope I've got that pronounced.

[A]

We're so far in the weeds at this point.

[D]

I want to look deeper into this Haiti shirt story because this seems quite extraordinary that they, they don't want them to wear something that honors something from 200 years ago, which is a Haitian revolution, which was a big historical moment actually. But that seems a long time ago to be an issue, does it not?

[A]

Yeah. I feel they were forced to change their shirts to the Olympics too, I believe as well. So there's some precedent for this or something like that.

[D]

But yeah, you know, I mean, half. How far back do you go?

[A]

Yeah, it's very true.

[B]

I suppose we couldn't. What. What if England had. I don't know. Yeah.

[D]

What does the George's cross represent? You know what I mean?

[B]

No, that is true. It does. It. What I Should know. I guess it's the Crusades.

[D]

A lot of flags. A lot of flags have colors that they do because of wars in the past. You know, red is a common color because of bloodshed in war.

[B]

And football unifies the world. Gianni told. Yeah, yeah, Gianni told us. It unifies the world. So that's fine. Australia, Turkey. Yes. Which is the late kickoff. And look, I don't know what the US want from this game really now. Just put sort of a board draw. Like Australia are dogged. And as I was saying to you earlier, they could draw nil. Nil against anyone.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, I think a draw is an ideal result out of this game. But I'm actually just curious to watch them and they do seem very much like what I would have expected out of South Africa yesterday, before they just ended up being absolutely horrifically bad. I expected more of what you're talking about. Sort of destroy the game. Dogged effort, you know, just be difficult for any opponent. I am very curious to see them against a pretty good Turkey side.

[B]

Bit of England. Thomas Dougal says he has 14 or 15 players in mind to start their game against Croatia. Bellingham set to start. John Stone is set to start over. Mark Gay with Ezri Consa hopes that Saka is fit. The big story, Barry, is that they've had some equipment stolen from their base.

[A]

Welcome to America, baby match boots.

[B]

Some people nicked all the balls except one, which sort of.

[D]

At least they left.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

You're welcome.

[B]

Left them one. Don't steal things. We shouldn't be laughing.

[C]

Oh, I've just checked. Lionel Joseph is a character from Trading Places.

[B]

Is that right? Well done. It's a good movie. Ben wrote on Twitter, Seb, I don't know if you saw this. Regards your commentary yesterday, Seb Hutcheson explaining diags during South Korea Czechia at 3:22am I don't think there's any casuals watching. Brother. How does it feel? Is it hard to sort of know you're commentating in the day for you, but at these weird hours to the uk, it's funny.

[D]

In fact, as soon as I challenged Andross on that, I did think to myself straight away, I know fully well the type of people are up at this time. They know what Dayak reads.

[A]

Absolutely.

[D]

But it's the way when you're broadcasting on itv, for example, you know, you do have to lay these things out because you never know who is watching. There's lots of different. I mean, such a broad audience and that's what makes it so different to when you're commentating for, say, Sky Sports? But that definitely crossed my mind as I said it, and it did. It did make me laugh. And. And there is that weird thing where at the start of the game, you realize what time it is, you know, and you're thinking, I have to give. Half my mates aren't watching this and when they get up in the morning, they'll probably, you know, put on the highlights and they forget about it quickly. But. But you always remember there are people out there that are up for this and they're up and they're awake and their name is usually Lars. That's

[B]

a very good point. Now, Pablo, you were with Wilson in Mexico last. Is it your fault he was so miserable on the pod yesterday? Everyone was like, oh, cheers, Guardian. Where did bring us down on day one of the World Cup?

[A]

I think all we did was complain about the lack of wireless Internet for. I do think at some point I also enjoyed. Yeah, there's a giant FIFA exploding sign that hangs over the field in these games. And I think at some point we were just wondering whether it might just stay there or potentially fall and injure somebody. So I think things were getting dark, you know, he bolted at halftime to go find functional wireless to file a gamer, you know, so. But no, he didn't seem in his best. In the best mood, but neither was I, so that's fine.

[D]

Fair enough.

[B]

Wilson will be back. More chipper, no doubt. Sean writes, dear Max, Barry and everyone, I may be barking up the wrong tree, but when I heard Barry talking about the Hill, he failed to take as of yet, I felt I knew exactly where you boys are staying. West Hollywood, of course. The Hill is the corner of redacted, and you're likely staying at the redacted. We can't give away exactly where we're staying. I recently stayed there myself, visiting, while my wife was on an extended work trip in la. She worked and I had a marvelous time gadding about the place. There's complimentary morning coffee near the gym, which Max may have noticed, if he really went to the gym. More importantly, there's an excellent little boozer nearby, Barney's Beanery. Well worth a visit. But that hill back nine pints deep is no joke. Can you confirm that or deny that?

[C]

I can confirm you can.

[B]

Even more importantly, you're not far from the Viper Room, the Whisky a Go Go, and especially the Rainbow Grill, home to Lemmy's Lounge. I'm sure you're both way too busy for any Extracurricular activity. I thought I'd give you both, ie Barry, the heads up.

[C]

I've already walked past the Viper Room and. Which is just across the street from Whiskey a Go Go. Youngblood is playing there at the moment.

[B]

All right.

[C]

Are they good? It's a bloke.

[B]

Okay. Is he good?

[C]

Not really my cup of tea.

[B]

Fair enough.

[C]

He's.

[B]

Is he loud?

[C]

Very loud. Max.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Fair enough.

[A]

You wouldn't like him.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Can I use your pool? Have you ever seen that pool?

[B]

Yeah, of course.

[A]

You're welcome. Anymore Tomorrow morning? Yeah.

[B]

Goddard's senior on Instagram was watching one of our videos, Barry, I think, where I was filming you making a ham sandwich. And he said, I'm reading east of Eden by John Steinbeck. And at the start of chapter 10, he says, when two men live together, they usually maintain a kind of shabby neatness out of incipient rage at each other. The two men alone are constantly on the verge of fighting. And they know it. How do you think we're doing on day. What is this, day two of the World cup, but day four of living together?

[C]

I don't think we're on the verge of fighting.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Are we sure about.

[B]

Nothing else to add?

[A]

Jesus Christ.

[B]

I'm having a nice time. Anyway. There is good stuff happening on all our socials. You can follow Football Weekly on TikTok and TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit. Today was Barry making a ham sandwich. I did quite an arty shot of the sandwich itself, although someone did tell me off. I picked up a bit of the sandwich to show the hand.

[C]

You touched my sandwich.

[B]

I did touch your sandwich. Yeah. I think that I. I'm sorry. I did it for the art.

[C]

No, you crossed a couple of boundaries here. You came into my room to film a diary without asking permission.

[B]

Noted.

[C]

And then you touched my sandwich. Yeah, you don't do those things.

[B]

You don't touch a man's sandwich.

[A]

Never touch a man's meat.

[B]

No.

[A]

You can cut that out. Right?

[C]

No.

[B]

Yeah, that seemed too far. Pablo.

[A]

Yeah, that's right.

[C]

Afterward, diagnosis of my.

[B]

Oh, yes. Actually, no, people did get in touch. I haven't got their names. Now. Some people wonder if it's sciatica. We've had plantar fasciitis.

[C]

It's not plantar fasciitis.

[B]

Right, noted. Okay.

[C]

Jacob Steinberg suggested it might be that, but it isn't.

[B]

No. I told you to do some calf stretches.

[C]

Yeah, and then I read another thing that said, whatever you do, do not do calf stretches. So I don't know what to do. So if anyone's got any helpful suggestions, I'd really love to hear them, because it's becoming a problem.

[A]

You're in America. We just take all our medical advice from Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Or Dr. Oz. Consult the Surgeon General on that, you know.

[B]

Anyway, that'll do for today. Thanks, everybody. Thank you, Seb. Have fun in Houston.

[D]

Thank you.

[B]

Cheers, Pablo.

[A]

Thank you very much.

[B]

Come again. Thanks, Barry.

[D]

Thank you.

[B]

Football Weekly is produced by Rory Simon. Our executive producer is Joel Grove. Back tomorrow.

[A]

This is the Guardian.