BY DUNG CHUNG
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has kicked off across the United States, Canada and Mexico, featuring a historic expansion to 48 teams drawn into 12 groups of four.
Under the new format, the top two teams in each group will qualify automatically, along with eight best third-placed teams, advancing to a newly introduced Round of 32.
After four days of action, 13 matches have been played, with early patterns already beginning to emerge.
Early action, headline results
Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 victory over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca, with goals from Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez.
The match made unwanted history with three red cards issued, the most ever in a World Cup opener.
Co-hosts the United States followed with a commanding 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles, while Canada secured their first-ever World Cup point after a 1-1 draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina.
In Group A, Mexico and South Korea both sit on three points after opening 1-0 wins. South Korea came from behind to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1, with late goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu. South Africa and the Czech Republic remain bottom with zero points, setting up a decisive clash between Mexico and South Korea on June 19.
Group B remains finely balanced, with Canada 1-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina and Qatar 1-1 Switzerland leaving all four teams on one point each.
No side has yet taken control of the group, setting up a tense second round of fixtures.
Statement performance, emerging contenders
Group C produced one of the standout fixtures as Brazil and Morocco played out a 1-1 draw.
Morocco struck first through Ismael Saibari before Vinicius Junior equalised for Brazil.
The result strengthens Morocco’s reputation following their 2022 World Cup semi-final run.
Scotland also opened strongly with a 1-0 win over Haiti, placing them top of the group with three points.
In Group D, the United States’ 4-1 win over Paraguay placed them top, while Australia also impressed with a 2-0 victory over Turkey.
Both co-hosts of Group D fixtures sit on three points, while Turkey and Paraguay remain without a point.
The upcoming USA vs Australia clash on June 19 is already being billed as a potential knockout preview.
Group E saw Germany deliver the biggest win of the tournament so far, a 7-1 demolition of debutants Curaçao.
Kai Havertz scored twice, while Jamal Musiala stood out with an impressive display. Ivory Coast also edged Ecuador 1-0 thanks to a late winner from Amad Diallo, with both Germany and Ivory Coast leading the group on three points.
In Group F, Netherlands and Japan played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, with Japan twice coming from behind, including a dramatic 88th-minute equaliser.
Sweden then dominated Tunisia 5-1, with Yasin Ayari scoring twice to put them top of the group after matchday one.
African teams, statistics, what lies ahead
Of Africa’s nine representatives, four have played so far.
Morocco earned a credible 1-1 draw against Brazil, South Africa lost 2-0 to Mexico while finishing with nine men, and Tunisia suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden.
A total of 28 goals have been scored in 13 matches, averaging 2.15 per game.
Heavy wins from Germany (7-1) and Sweden (5-1) underline the attacking intent of the tournament, while discipline has already become a talking point, highlighted by the three red cards in the Mexico vs South Africa opener.
Underdog teams have also made their mark, with Morocco against Brazil and Japan against the Netherlands showing that the gap between football’s elite and emerging sides may be narrowing.
As Matchday Two begins on June 15, several major contenders—including Spain, Belgium, Egypt, France, Argentina—are set to enter the competition.