The FIFA World Cup 2026 is well underway as the participating teams kick off their opening fixtures in the group stage. The fight for crucial points is already on as teams look to secure top two standing to qualify for the knockout rounds.
Sunday has already seen some of the biggest names in world football take the centre stage while other teams, participating in their first ever World Cup have already made history.
In what is seen as the first big clash of the tournament, five-time World Cup winners Brazil took on reigning Africa champions Morocco in a heavyweight Group C clash.
Morocco, who surpassed all expectations and reached the semifinals in the Qatar World Cup in 2022, appeared dominant from the first whistle, pressing the ball high into Brazil’s defensive third and looking threatening with every attack.
A beautifully weighted through ball by Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz put PSV striker Ismael Saibari through on goal, where he finished with an elegant chip over veteran Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker in the 21st minute to give the North African nation the lead.
Brazil, who struggled to construct play from the back, appeared to find a rhythm soon after where a quick one-two play between Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior placed the Brazilian forward in a threatening position inside the box.
In a slick show of skill, Vinicius was able to glide past Morocco’s defences before unloading a rocket into the top right corner, levelling the game on the 32nd minute. Both teams looked to protect their one point performances for the remainder of the game, though each team had chances to take the lead, but ultimately failed to capitalise.
The other two teams in Group C, Haiti and Scotland, faced off at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, home to NFL team the New England Patriots, just hours later. A neat finish by Scottish forward John McGinn in the 28th minute put his country ahead as they coasted past their opponents to secure three points and top their group in the standings.
Group D produced what some perceive as the first upset of the tournament as Turkey, playing in their first World Cup in 24 years, suffered a two-nil loss to Australia, in what was a dominant display from the nation in the yellow and green.
Nestory Irankunda opened the scoring for the Aussies in the 27th minute, giving his time a 1-0 advantage going into the second half. A goal in the 75th minute by Connor Metcalfe secured the win for Australia, giving them a crucial three points and a second place position in the Group, behind co-hosts the United States, who also have three points but lead on goal differential.
Germany eased past their opponents, Curaçao, playing in their first ever World Cup, who made history despite losing 7-1 to the European giants, in the first fixture of Group E.
The Dutch Caribbean island became the smallest country to ever qualify for the world’s largest event, but have now added another accolade to their World Cup run, scoring their first goal at the event.
Japan vs the Netherlands proved to be an exciting match and a real test for the Oranjes. Japan looked threatening in the first half but failed to convert despite coming close on at least two occasions.
The Netherlands, led by Liverpool veteran defender Virgil Van Dijk opened the scoring shortly after play resumed in the second half, guiding the ball into the far right post past Japan’s Zion Suzuki in the 51st minute.
Japan’s Keito Nakamura had a quick and powerful response just minutes lates, unleashing a powerful strike into the bottom left corner, levelling the game for his country in the 57th.
The celebrations did not last long however as a moment of brilliance by Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, who plays for recently-relegated English team West Ham, cut in from the right and curled the ball into the bottom left corner in the 64th.
The Oranjes appeared to tactically adapt their gameplan, looking to hold on to their slim lead to see out the remainder of the match, but their plans came crashing down after Japan managed to squeeze a second goal past keeper Bart Verbruggen in the 89th minute off a corner kick.
The Ivory Coast, playing in Group E, also took to the pitch on Sunday where they faced South American greats Ecuador. The game was tightly contested throughout the 90 minutes but a late strike from Manchester United’s Amad Diallo in the 90th minute gave the African nation the lead, earning them three points, where they sit second in the group to Germany.
Monday – and the early hours of Tuesday – is expected to provide quality entertainment – and possibly anxiety – to football fans around the world as more top teams gear up to kickstart their World Cup campaigns.
Spain is set to play Cape Verde at 6 pm CET, Belgium will face off against seven-time Africa champions Egypt at 9 pm CET on Monday. Saudi Arabia will take on Uruguay at midnight, while Iran plays New Zealand at 3 am on Tuesday.