The World Cup continues on Saturday with Brazil starting its campaign and three more group stage matches to be played across North America.
Brazil will take on Morocco in the biggest match of the day, while more teams will begin the tournament with Qatar taking on Switzerland, Haiti taking on Scotland and Australia taking on Turkiye.
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There are many things I want to talk about besides soccer. Donald Trump will miss the opening game against the United States, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will play against the United States instead of against Canada, and Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey will miss the team’s first game after Canada denied his visa application.
In Peru, police made headlines when they conducted drug raids dressed as World Cup mascots.
Here’s what you need to know:
What is the schedule for the World Cup on June 13th?
Qatar will take on Switzerland at BC Place in Vancouver, with kick-off scheduled for 12pm local time (7pm GMT).
Brazil will then face Morocco at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Group C matches will kick off at 6pm local time (22:00 GMT).
The day’s games conclude with Haiti vs. Scotland at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is set for 8pm local time (1am Japan time on June 14th).
Australia and Tolkien will then begin Group D at Seattle’s Lumen Field, kicking off at 9pm local time (4am Japan time on June 14).
What are your predictions for Brazil vs. Morocco?
Brazil and Morocco have only met once in the World Cup, with Brazil winning in the group stage in 1998. Morocco got their revenge in 2023 with a 2-1 win in a friendly.
Brazil has won seven out of eight games against African opponents at the World Cup, with their only loss coming against Cameroon in 2022.
The five-time champion hasn’t lifted the trophy since 2002. Since then, they have usually been eliminated in the quarterfinals, with the exception of reaching the semifinals in 2014.
Opta’s 25,000 simulations give Brazil a 57.7% chance of winning. 23.5% of predictions were for a draw, 18.8% for Morocco to win.
The winner could be in a strong position to top Group C.
What are your predictions for Qatar vs Switzerland?
Qatar and Switzerland have only met once before, with Qatar winning 1-0 in a friendly in 2018 thanks to a late goal from Akram Afif. Afif is among nine players from that squad remaining in Qatar’s 2026 World Cup squad, while Switzerland have seven players surviving from the loss, including Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler.
Opta’s 25,000 simulations show Switzerland as the clear favorites to win this Group B fixture, with a 76.0% chance of victory. Qatar won in just 9.1 percent of predictions and 14.9 percent ended in a draw.
One point is likely to be seen as a positive result for the Gulf side.
What are your predictions for Australia vs Tolkier?
Australia and Tolkien have only played twice before, with Tolkien winning both in friendly matches in 2004. Turkiye has also won all of the last four matches they played against Asian opponents at the World Cup.
According to Opta’s 10,000 simulations, Tolkien has a 55.3 per cent chance of winning, while Australia has a 20.5 per cent chance and a 24.1 per cent chance of a draw.
However, neither team has a remarkable track record in the opening games of the World Cup. Turkiye have lost each of their previous opening matches, while Australia have lost five of their opening six matches.
What are your predictions for Haiti vs Scotland?
Haiti and Scotland have never faced each other before, making this one of the first meetings in the 48-team World Cup. It will also be Haiti’s first match against a team from the British Isles.
Opta’s 25,000 simulations make Scotland the clear favorites to win, with a 59.0% chance of victory. Haiti won 19.2 percent of the time, while 21.8 percent of the time it ended in a draw.
What else is shaping the World Cup?
Soccer is still in its infancy, but the World Cup is already a hot topic off the pitch.
Trump did not attend the opening game of the US World Cup
The president did not attend the men’s national team’s World Cup opening game against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
Trump’s absence drew attention as he has attended several high-profile sporting events in recent days, including Game 3 of the NBA Finals earlier this week. He is also expected to host a UFC event at the White House on Sunday.
White House officials said Trump will instead attend the World Cup finals on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The US President was called to a USMNT team meeting and offered words of support through White House World Cup Task Force CEO Andrew Giuliani.
The party refused entry to Canada.
Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey, who will miss the opening World Cup game against Panama after Canada rejected his visa application, is awaiting trial in the UK on multiple rape charges, which he denies.
FIFA announced Friday that the 32-year-old will not be allowed to travel from Ghana’s base camp in Smithfield, Rhode Island, to Toronto for Wednesday’s match.
“His visa application has been rejected by the Canadian government,” FIFA said in a statement.
“FIFA is not involved in the host country’s entry procedures, including visa checks. As with previous FIFA events, the host country’s government ultimately decides who receives a visa and is allowed entry.”
Prime Minister Trudeau attends the US World Cup
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was in California instead of Toronto as Canada and the United States began their World Cup campaigns on the same day.
The 54-year-old did not attend Canada’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina at BMO Field. Instead, he was at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium with pop singer Katy Perry, who performed during the pregame opening ceremony before the United States faced Paraguay.
Peruvian police officers use World Cup mascot costumes in Lima drug bust
Peruvian police dressed up as World Cup mascots to conduct a drug raid in Lima have become a hot topic.
Video shared by police showed officers dressed as World Cup mascots breaking through a metal gate with a battering ram and entering the grounds.
Once inside, they arrested the suspected drug dealer and recovered a weapon and a bag containing what authorities believed to be drugs.
The outcome of the World Cup may be decided on the pitch, but a different competition is already underway off it. Which host city has the best food?
In a report for Al Jazeera, Lou Brown traveled across North America to find out what fans can expect outside the stadium.
Taco sellers in Mexico City hope the competition will bring in more customers. “The World Cup is coming up, so we hope the customers will come,” the tortilla chef at El Khalifa de Leon told Al Jazeera. “I think a lot of people will come, both foreigners and locals.”
Philadelphia proudly stands behind the famous Philadelphia Cheesesteak. Local residents argue that tourists should learn how to order correctly. “We want them to know what kind of cheese they want,” explains Geno’s Steak chef Anthony Rossi. “So, if you want an onion, say it’s ‘witty’ or ‘witty’…keep it simple.”
Across the border in Toronto, Canadian poutine is popular, consisting of french fries topped with gravy and cheese curds. “Poutine is not the best dish, but poutine is a dish that originated in Canada,” said French tourist Lisa Denis.
Kansas City takes pride in its barbecue. “This is really delicious,” diner Camila Thomas said. “We enjoy coming here. We bring people here from out of town and give them a little taste of Kansas City.”
And in Miami, locals insist you try the Cuban sandwich. “We really recommend the Cuban sandwich, croquettes, and cafecito,” said Daniel Figueredo, co-founder of Sanguicci. “The Cuban sandwich is a must-try when you’re in Miami.”
The toughest choice for fans traveling across North America this summer may not be choosing the World Cup winner, but deciding which host city has the best food.
