Nine days into the biggest FIFA World Cup in history, the 2026 tournament has already delivered breathtaking goals, stunning upsets, record-breaking moments, and unforgettable performances across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With 48 nations competing for the first time in World Cup history, football’s showpiece event has transformed into a month-long festival of surprises, producing high-scoring matches, emerging stars, and compelling storylines that continue to captivate fans around the globe.
Hosts Make Strong Statements
The tournament kicked off on June 11 at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0 to become the first winners of the expanded World Cup. South Korea followed with a 2-1 victory over Czechia, setting the tone for an action-packed opening week.
Co-hosts United States and Canada have also impressed. The Americans opened their campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay before securing qualification for the Round of 32 with a 2-0 win over Australia. Canada announced themselves as serious contenders with a stunning 6-0 demolition of Qatar, one of the biggest victories of the group stage so far.
Heavyweights Begin Their Charge
Several traditional football powers have made strong starts.
France defeated Senegal 3-1 behind another influential performance from captain Kylian Mbappe, while Norway cruised past Iraq 4-1 as Erling Haaland scored his first World Cup goals.
Defending champions Argentina looked every bit the title holders with a comfortable 3-0 win over Algeria, while England entertained fans with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia. Germany delivered the tournament’s biggest win so far, crushing World Cup debutants Curaçao 7-1.
Morocco, DR Congo and Cape Verde Spring Surprises
The expanded format has given underdogs a bigger platform, and several nations have seized the opportunity.
Morocco stunned many observers by holding Brazil to a 1-1 draw before defeating Scotland 1-0 to move into a strong position in Group C.
The Democratic Republic of Congo produced one of the tournament’s biggest shocks by earning a 1-1 draw against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in their opening match.
Meanwhile, tournament debutants Cape Verde grabbed global attention after frustrating Spain in a goalless draw, proving they belong on football’s biggest stage.
Standout Stars Steal the Headlines
Several football superstars have already left their mark on the tournament.
Kylian Mbappe continues to strengthen his case as one of the world’s best players, while Lionel Messi inspired Argentina’s opening victory. Harry Kane led England’s attack with a brace against Croatia, and Haaland announced his arrival at the World Cup with two goals against Iraq.
Morocco’s Ismael Saibari has emerged as one of the breakout stars of the tournament after scoring a decisive goal just 71 seconds into Morocco’s victory over Scotland, setting new World Cup records and becoming the first Moroccan player to score in consecutive World Cup matches.
Record-Breaking Moments
The 2026 edition is already rewriting the record books.
FIFA has reported unprecedented attendance figures and global television audiences during the opening week. The tournament’s expanded 48-team format has also produced one of the highest-scoring starts in World Cup history, with more than 70 goals scored in the opening days of competition.
Another historic milestone belongs to Curaçao, which became the smallest nation ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup. Despite suffering a heavy defeat against Germany, the Caribbean nation’s remarkable journey has become one of the feel-good stories of the tournament.
Latest Results
June 18
- Czechia 1-1 South Africa
- Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Canada 6-0 Qatar
- Mexico 1-0 South Korea
June 19
- United States 2-0 Australia
- Morocco 1-0 Scotland
- Brazil 3-0 Haiti
- Paraguay 1-0 Turkey
Earlier Key Results
- France 3-1 Senegal
- Norway 4-1 Iraq
- Argentina 3-0 Algeria
- England 4-2 Croatia
- Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
- Germany 7-1 Curaçao
- Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
- Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Upcoming Fixtures
June 20
- Netherlands vs Sweden
- Germany vs Ivory Coast
- Ecuador vs Curaçao
June 21
- Tunisia vs Japan
- Spain vs Saudi Arabia
- Belgium vs Iran
- Uruguay vs Cape Verde
- New Zealand vs Egypt
June 22
- Argentina vs Austria
- France vs Iraq
- Norway vs Senegal
- Jordan vs Algeria
What to Watch Next
As the group stage enters a decisive phase, attention will focus on qualification battles, potential giant-killings, and the race for individual honours. Argentina, France, England, Germany and the United States have all impressed, but the emergence of nations such as Morocco, Cape Verde, DR Congo and Curaçao has reinforced the unpredictable nature of this historic World Cup.
With the Round of 32 set to begin on June 28, the tournament has already shown that no team can be taken lightly. If the opening nine days are any indication, the road to the final on July 19 promises even more drama, goals and unforgettable moments.
