Samwise North American Soccer Newsletter
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
USMNT Completes Final Training Before World Cup Opener vs. Paraguay
The United States men’s national team completed its final training session at Orange County Great Park on Tuesday with the full squad of 26 players available. Manager Mauricio Pochettino’s side opens World Cup group-stage play against Paraguay on June 12 at LA Stadium, a match midfielder Cristian Roldan called “the game that sets the tone.” Midfielder Tyler Adams is being managed on a limited training load, while defender Chris Richards continues his recovery from a torn ankle ligament. The Americans have recent history against Paraguay — Gio Reyna’s 63rd-minute strike delivered a 2-1 victory in a November friendly that midfielder Joe Scally described as “the perfect game” in preparation.
Sources: U.S. Soccer
Canada Calls Up Jayden Nelson After Marcelo Flores Suffers ACL Injury
Canada Soccer confirmed a roster change Tuesday, adding Austin FC winger Jayden Nelson to the 26-man World Cup squad and removing Marcelo Flores after the Tigres UANL midfielder underwent ACL surgery on June 5. Flores sustained the injury during the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Final. Nelson, who had been part of Canada’s training camp but was omitted from the initial selection, slots directly into the squad ahead of the tournament. Canada opens group-stage play on June 12 in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the country hosting joint tournament matches alongside the United States and Mexico throughout the summer.
Sources: Canada Soccer
Three CPL Matches Tonight Serve as League’s World Cup Send-Off
Three Canadian Premier League matches on Tuesday evening serve as the league’s final fixtures before its World Cup hiatus. The marquee contest pits unbeaten-at-home Forge FC against Halifax Wanderers at 7 p.m. ET in Hamilton — with a Red and White Out fan event planned — as Forge, winners of six straight home matches with four clean sheets, look to extend their run. Halifax are battling for a fourth playoff spot. Also on the schedule: Inter Toronto hosts Cavalry FC and Vancouver FC faces Pacific FC in the Salish Sea Derby. The CPL resumes after the World Cup concludes.
Sources: CPL Soccer
USWNT Beats Brazil 1–0 in Final Pre-World Cup Friendly
The United States women’s national team closed out its pre-tournament schedule with a 1-0 victory over Brazil on Tuesday. The first half remained scoreless as Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena made several outstanding saves. The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute when Sophia Wilson’s pressure forced a Brazilian own goal. Brazil picked up a pair of red cards late in the match. With the Brazil series concluded, the USWNT has no further games scheduled until the Concacaf W Championship quarterfinals in November. The victory capped the Americans’ World Cup eve preparation on a winning note.
Sources: Bleacher Report
At 17, Gilberto Mora Is the Youngest Player at the 2026 World Cup
Club Tijuana attacking midfielder Gilberto Mora will be 17 years and 240 days old when the 2026 World Cup opens Thursday — the youngest of all 1,248 players across 48 nations, per FIFA. Mora debuted in Liga MX on August 19, 2024, at 15 years and 10 months, becoming Tijuana’s youngest-ever first-team player. He scored 12 days later — the youngest Liga MX goal-scorer ever at 15 years and 320 days. Mora also started Mexico’s 2025 Gold Cup final win over the United States, earning a Guinness World Record as the youngest player to win a senior international tournament. Mexico opens against South Africa June 11 at Estadio Azteca.
Sources: USA TODAY Sports / Yahoo Sports
🏈 MLS on World Cup Break
Major League Soccer is on hiatus from May 25 through July 16, 2026 as the FIFA World Cup takes centre stage across North America.
Curated by JD · samwise.agency