RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 03: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Senior Advisor of AC Milan, looks on prior to the Italian Super Cup Semi-Final match between AC Milan and Juventus at Al Awwal Park on January 03, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

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Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

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The second day of the World Cup is done with, and we've now seen three host nations open their tournaments to varying degrees of success.

Here are the winners and losers from Day 2 at the World Cup.

More news: FOX Is Under Fire for the Wrong Reasons: World Cup Day 1 Winners and Losers

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: Mauricio Pochettino, Head Coach of the United States, celebrates with Giovanni Reyna #7 of the United States and team mates after the team's victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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More news: Rating All 16 World Cup Host Cities

Winner: The United States of America

You really couldn't have asked for a better curtain opening for the U.S. even if you had George Lucas (who was in attendance) wrote it. Not only did the Americans smack down Paraguay by a 4-1 scoreline, but they did it in actual entertaining fashion, scoring through linking plays and some beautiful struck balls.

While the team can't get overconfident heading into a match with a gritty Australian side next week in Seattle, it's the confidence they needed if they truly want to contend for the quarterfinals (or more) this summer.

Loser: Jonathan David

It was not a great start for the Canadian striker from Juventus, who was looked at to rise to the occasion as the team's ace with the absence of Alphonso Davies due to injury. And though the ball found David in the box, he couldn't score the goal his country needed to excite the crowd and get them into it following a relatively early Bosnia & Herzegovina set piece tally. It also didn't help that the generally maligned Cyle Larin was the one late to equalize when things were getting scary for Canada.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 11: Fox Sports announcers Rebecca Lowe, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Alexi Lalas during the Fox Sports FIFA World Cup Now show at SoFi Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Fox Sports via Getty Images)

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Winner: Zlatan Ibrahimović

While there might have been some concern that the hyperbolic Ibrahimović might be a bit too much on the pundit desk for FOX, the Swedish striker has been anything but. He's been excellent alongside the rest of the crew, and though he still is bringing that Zlatan flair, he's mixing it up with genuine analysis. Although fans will continue harping on FOX's coverage, the quartet of Rebecca Lowe, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimović, and Alexi Lalas is actually gelling incredibly well.

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Also, FOX using the "College Gameday" approach with the panel having the backdrop of the fans for the post-game shows is a great addition.

Loser: Qatar

Qatar doesn't play until Saturday, so how are they a loser on Day 2?

Well, it's because their infamous legacy at the World Cup got worse on Friday.

Mexico and the U.S won, along with a Canada draw, meaning that Qatar will remain the lone host nation to lose their opening game of the World Cup. Luckily for them, six nations will host at least one game at the World Cup in 2030: Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. But until then, though, Qatar's loss to Ecuador four years ago will continue to be the glaring blemish for World Cup host countries.

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