SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway, and the Bay Area will get to see a piece of the action during the supersized tournament.
The U.S. will host 78 matches, six of which will take place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. The venue will be known as the San Francisco Bay Area stadium for the duration of the tournament.
Following Paraguay's stunning 1-0 upset over Turkiye, the U.S. has officially clinched first place in Group D, securing a highly anticipated Round of 32 knockout match at Levi's Stadium.
The crucial single-elimination game is locked for Wednesday, July 1 at 5 p.m. against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We're bringing you live updates and everything you need to know.
Starting on June 11, fans can watch matches for free from more than 30 locations as well as participating sports bars around the Bay Area. The Golden State Warriors and Valkyries' Thrive City big screen at Chase Center is one, along with China Basin at Mission Rock near the San Francisco Giants' ballpark. Also, PIER 39 should provide a picturesque backdrop for games.
In the East Bay, the independent Oakland Ballers team will host games at its home field of Raimondi Park. The famous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is another spot.
"The FIFA World Cup 2026 is about bringing communities together and celebrating the beautiful game in every corner of our region," said Zaileen Janmohamed, President & CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee. "We're harnessing the breadth, diversity, and natural beauty of the entire Bay Area to ensure that no matter where you live or visit, you'll have access to fun, community celebrations. This regional approach reflects our commitment to inclusivity and gives every county and community the opportunity to activate and be part of this historic moment."
For a full list of events, click here.
Folarin Balogun's one-game ban was suspended by FIFA on Sunday, allowing the forward to play in the United States' World Cup round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday.
Balogun, who leads the Americans with three goals, received a red card for stepping on the foot of Tarik Muharemovi of Bosnia and Herzegovina in a 2-0 round of 32 win on Wednesday.
Read more here.
There will be no further disciplinary action for USMNT forward Folarin Balogun following his red card against Bosnia & Herzegovina, according to an ESPN update.
Balogun received the standard one-match suspension and will sit out the United States' World Cup Round of 16 matchup against Belgium.
Should the USMNT advance to the next stage, Balogun will be eligible to return for the quarterfinals.
Victory sure is sweet, especially with America winning on American soil here in the Bay Area.
"Yes! Go USA!" said a man dressed up as George Washington.
"I'm really glad that people are experiencing America in a really good way and I believe it's super fun and honestly cannot believe we're doing this well so I'm really happy," said a teenage girl who attended the game with her mom.
All smiles from those decked out in red, white, and blue; and from those who came dressed like our first president and our fierce national bird, the bald eagle.
"This is what the world cup is all about"
"We have the hat boys out here and I guess the hat boys are lucky," said ABC7 Eyewitness News reporter J.R. Stone to a group wearing fancy America hats.
"This is it, this is it, this is the USA! Yeah, yeah, yeah man. USA, USA, USA!"
And while there was some anger.
"Was there a moment that stood out for you?" asked Stone to one fan.
"The horrible referee!"
"I thought the ref was horrible, it should have been 4-0 but ya know that's how it goes," said another fan.
Even the Bosnians were making the best of their team's loss to the U.S. as they sang together outside the stadium afterwards.
The USA fans were singing their own songs at times, "Oh when the yanks come marching in."
"There was so much patriotic joy in there," said Liz Gibson. Her husband Don continued, "People got along and there was this great guy sitting next to me. He drove 4 hours with his son to get here. It was a lifetime experience for him and for us."
"It's pretty cool, it's fun to see everybody being friends for once," said one young man.
"Literally soccer has brought the world together and it's been great to experience it, like we didn't even know we were coming until this morning," said Melissa Hernandez.
But they made it and they saw something that will go down in the history books, a U.S. World Cup victory.
"I like it a lot because we won," said one young boy.
"USA going all the way, know what I mean!"
Folarin Balogun scored his third goal of the World Cup before being sent off with a red card in the second half, and Malik Tillman converted on a free kick to give the 10-man United States squad a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday night to advance to the round of 16.
Balogun dominated the first half with his goal and several other chances that helped the U.S. control the match early but the Americans had to scramble down a man after his foul against Tarik Muharemovic in the 64th minute.
Tillman helped seal the win when he scored on a free kick from just outside the box in the 82nd minute with a shot off the hand of goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
That gave the U.S. just its second World Cup knockout round win. The Americans made it to the semifinals in the first tournament in 1930 by winning their group and won a round of 16 matchup against Mexico in 2002.
The win over Bosnia in the round of 32 in this year's expanded tournament sets up a matchup on Monday in Seattle against Belgium as the U.S. hopes to make a deep run on home soil.
Full story here.
