World Cup live updates: USA’s opening match just hours away

Key Points:

• The 1994 World Cup, hosted by the US, significantly boosted soccer's popularity in the country, leading to the creation of Major League Soccer (MLS) and attracting international stars like Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller.
• The US Men's National Team (USMNT) is fielding a strong squad in the current tournament, led by Christian Pulisic, while Paraguay's team features versatile midfielder Diego Gómez, who has experience in both MLS and the Premier League.
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be present at the World Cup focusing on security issues such as combating human trafficking and counterfeit merchandise, not immigration enforcement, reassuring international visitors.
• Canadian soccer is gaining momentum with consecutive World Cup qualifications, aiming to advance beyond the group stage for the first time; recent matches, including a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina, keep their knockout hopes alive.
• The tournament's group stage allows matches to end in draws, with points awarded accordingly, and the expanded format enables top teams and some third-place finishers to advance, maintaining competitive tension throughout the group phase.