2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 World Cup kicked off on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the landmark opening of the first 48-team edition co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Mexico won the opener 2-0 against South Africa, with Julián Quiñones scoring the tournament’s first goal. Both Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) are competing in their historic sixth World Cup. The official anthem ‘Dai Dai’ by Shakira and Burna Boy opened the ceremonies; the two stars are also set to headline the final’s halftime show on July 19 alongside Madonna and BTS.

On June 12, the USA made a record-breaking home debut, crushing Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the biggest win in USMNT World Cup history. Folarin Balogun scored twice before half-time and Gio Reyna added a late fourth. South Korea (2-1 vs Czechia) and Canada (1-1 vs Bosnia) also opened their campaigns on Day 1.

Day 3 (June 13) brought two more clashes: five-time champion Brazil were held 1-1 by Morocco in a result that underlined the strength of African nations at this tournament, while Scotland edged past Haiti 1-0. On June 14, Group D resumed with Australia beating Turkey 2-0 in Vancouver (BC Place), thanks to goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, leaving USA and Australia joint-top of Group D on 3 points each. On June 14, Germany delivered the most emphatic result of the first round: a 7-1 demolition of Curaçao in Houston, with Kai Havertz scoring twice and Jamal Musiala at his brilliant best, though Curaçao made history by scoring via Livano Comenencia, becoming the smallest nation ever to find the net at a World Cup. Côte d’Ivoire snatched Group E’s other three points with Amad Diallo’s 90th-minute winner against Ecuador in Philadelphia. Across Group F in Dallas, Netherlands and Japan shared a thrilling 2-2 draw, Daichi Kamada equalising in the 89th minute. On June 15, Sweden swept Tunisia 5-1 in Monterrey, with substitute Mattias Svanberg scoring 13 seconds after coming on, the fastest ever substitute goal in World Cup history. France open their campaign against Senegal on June 16 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.

June 16 delivered the most dramatic day of the tournament so far. France beat Senegal 3–1 in an authoritative performance: Mbappé scored in the 66th minute and again deep in stoppage time (90+6’), with Barcola adding the third in the 82nd. The brace made Mbappé France’s all-time leading scorer (58 international goals) and took his World Cup tally to 14. Norway crushed Iraq 4–1 in Foxborough, with Erling Haaland scoring his first two World Cup goals in what is becoming a statement campaign for Scandinavian football. But the night belonged to Messi: Argentina beat Algeria 3–0 at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, with the 38-year-old scoring a hat-trick (17’, 60’, 76’), his first at a World Cup, in his 200th Argentina appearance. The three goals took his career World Cup tally to 16, equalling Miroslav Klose’s all-time record. June 17 brought Group K and Group L into action with four matches across North America. England opened their campaign with a pulsating 4-2 win over Croatia at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas: Harry Kane converted a penalty inside nine minutes (the spot kick was retaken due to encroachment) before adding a second before the break, Croatia twice equalised through Martin Baturina and Petar Musa from an Ivan Perišić lay-off, but Jude Bellingham struck immediately after half-time and substitute Marcus Rashford added a fourth late on. England top Group L. In Toronto, Ghana edged Panama 1-0 with a moment of quality from Caleb Yirenkyi, who tapped in a counterattack finish in the fourth minute of stoppage time (90+4’), Ghana’s latest-ever World Cup goal, surpassing Asamoah Gyan’s header against the USA in 2010.

Group K began with contrasting fortunes for the European sides. Colombia defeated debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City: Daniel Muñoz (assisted by Luis Díaz) opened the scoring before Abbosbek Fayzullaev scored Uzbekistan’s first-ever World Cup goal to equalise; Luis Díaz restored Colombia’s lead and Jaminton Campaz sealed it in stoppage time. Portugal, in the same group, were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by DR Congo at NRG Stadium in Houston, João Neves struck early (6’) but Yoane Wissa levelled for DR Congo right on the stroke of half-time (45+5’), ending a 52-year wait for a World Cup goal by this nation (who last appeared as Zaire in 1974). Cristiano Ronaldo missed several chances to win it.

June 18 brought a double-header of Group A and Group B Matchday 2 action. In Group A, Mexico became the first team to seal their place in the Round of 32: a goalkeeper howler from South Korea’s Kim Seung-gyu in the 50th minute gifted Luis Romo an open-net finish at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, and Mexico’s 1-0 win put them on a perfect 6 points from two matches. In Atlanta, Czechia and South Africa drew 1-1, Michal Sadilek’s early opener in the 6th minute was cancelled out by Teboho Mokoena’s penalty in the 83rd after substitute Šulc handled, leaving both teams on 1 point with everything still to play for on Matchday 3 (June 24).

Group B delivered the night’s biggest storyline. At BC Place in Vancouver, Canada beat Qatar 6-0 in what is already one of the tournament’s defining moments: Canada’s first ever men’s World Cup win, ending a 40-year wait since their only previous appearance in 1986. Jonathan David scored a hat-trick, the first by a Canadian at a World Cup, while Cyle Larin, Nathan Saliba, and a Qatar own goal completed the rout. The 6-0 is also the biggest victory by a CONCACAF nation in World Cup history. A serious note amid the celebrations: midfielder Ismaël Koné was stretchered off in the second half with what appeared to be a significant leg injury. At Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Switzerland beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 4-1: all five goals arrived in the second half after Tarik Muharemović’s red card for Bosnia; Johan Manzambi scored twice off the bench, Ruben Vargas added a third, and Granit Xhaka sealed it from the spot. Canada and Switzerland now share the lead in Group B on 4 points each; their June 24 showdown will determine who tops the group.

June 19 delivered a full slate of drama. In Group C, Morocco beat Scotland 1-0 in Foxborough, Ismael Saibari struck in the 2nd minute, his second goal of the tournament, leaving Scotland on 3 points but with a nervous path ahead. Brazil dispatched Haiti 3-0 in Philadelphia: Matheus Cunha scored twice (23’, 36’) and Vinícius Júnior added a third in the 45+3’, a result that underlined Brazil’s renewed authority after their Matchday 1 draw with Morocco. Both Brazil and Morocco lead Group C with 4 points each.

Group D produced its defining moments. At Lumen Field in Seattle, the USA beat Australia 2-0 to clinch their place in the Round of 32: a Cameron Burgess own goal opened the scoring in the 11th minute, and Alex Freeman headed in a second in the 43rd after a lengthy VAR offside check. Christian Pulisic missed the match with a calf injury but the team didn’t miss a beat. At Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Matías Galarza struck in just 64 seconds, the fastest goal of the 2026 World Cup, to put Paraguay 1-0 up against Türkiye. The match was then rocked by the dismissal of Miguel Almirón in first-half stoppage time (45+3’), a straight red for dangerous play. Down to ten men, Paraguay held on for a famous 1-0 win. Türkiye are eliminated. Group D MD3 on June 25: Paraguay vs Australia (Levi’s Stadium) is a direct playoff for second place; Turkey vs USA (SoFi Stadium) is a dead rubber.

On June 20, Groups E and F take centre stage with Matchday 2: Netherlands vs Sweden (Houston, 1pm ET), Germany vs Ivory Coast (Toronto, 4pm ET), Ecuador vs Curaçao (Kansas City, 8pm ET), and Japan vs Tunisia (Monterrey, 10pm ET).

June 21 brought Group G and Group H to their Matchday 2 conclusions with four matches of sustained quality. Spain rediscovered their devastating best in Atlanta, crushing Saudi Arabia 4-0: Lamine Yamal opened the scoring in the 10th minute for his first World Cup goal, Mikel Oyarzabal added a brace in the 21st and 24th before half-time, and Altambakti completed the rout with an own goal in the 49th. Spain lead Group H with 4 points. Uruguay and Cape Verde shared an extraordinary 2-2 draw in Miami, Kevin Pina scored Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup goal with a 30-yard free kick in the 21st minute, Uruguay led 2-1 before Hélio Varela equalised in the 61st; Cape Verde are now the first debutant nation to go unbeaten in two World Cup appearances since Senegal in 2002.

The night’s defining result, however, came from Vancouver. Egypt defeated New Zealand 3-1 at BC Place, Egypt’s first ever win in the history of the FIFA World Cup. Finn Surman headed New Zealand in front in the 15th minute, but Egypt’s second-half surge was irresistible: Mostafa Ziko equalised in the 58th, Mohamed Salah scored to make it 2-1 in the 67th, and Trézéguet sealed a historic 3-1 in the 82nd minute with a Salah corner delivery. Egypt top Group G with 4 points. In the group’s other June 21 match, Belgium and Iran played out a tense 0-0 draw at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood: Belgium’s Nathan Ngoy was sent off in the 66th minute for fouling Taremi to deny a clear chance; Iran, without the deported Mohebi, had a Taremi free-kick ruled out by VAR. Both sides are level on 2 points ahead of June 26’s decisive final round.

June 20-21 produced a day of drama across both groups. In Houston, the Netherlands delivered the most emphatic performance of the tournament so far, dismantling Sweden 5-1: Brian Brobbey scored twice inside seventeen minutes, Cody Gakpo added two more in the opening ten minutes of the second half, and substitute Crysencio Summerville sealed it in the 90th, Gakpo’s brace equalling Robin van Persie’s Dutch record for most group-stage goals in a World Cup. In Toronto, Germany came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in a stunning comeback: Franck Kessié put the Ivorians ahead at 30’, before substitute Deniz Undav equalised in the 68th minute and then struck the winner in the 94th, Germany are through as Group E winners. Ecuador and Curaçao drew 0-0 in Kansas City, earning Curaçao their first ever World Cup point. The day’s final match, Japan vs Tunisia in Monterrey, the 1,000th match in World Cup history, ended 1-1 (Nakamura for Japan, Rekik for Tunisia, with Hannibal Mejbri assisting), meaning Tunisia’s new coach Hervé Renard (appointed after Lamouchi was sacked post-MD1) could only salvage a draw in his debut.

June 22 delivered a day of historic moments. The biggest story in World Cup history unfolded at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas: Lionel Messi broke Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record, netting twice in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria (Group J). Messi opened in the 38th minute, sweeping in from a Facundo Medina lay-off, and sealed it in stoppage time. Those two goals brought his total to 18 World Cup goals, surpassing Klose’s record of 16 that had stood since 2014. It is one of the most significant individual milestones in the sport’s history. In Group I, France defeated Iraq 3-0 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, but the match was interrupted at half-time by a severe thunderstorm that forced a two-hour stoppage. When play resumed, Mbappé had already scored in the 14th minute; he added a second after the delay and Ousmane Dembélé completed the scoring in the 74th. France are through to the Round of 32 with a perfect 6 points.

On June 23, Group I concluded its Matchday 2 programme. At MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, Norway defeated Senegal 3-2 in a pulsating match: Marcus Pedersen opened in the 12th minute, Ismaïla Sarr equalised for Senegal (61’), Erling Haaland restored Norway’s lead and added a second, bringing his tournament tally to 4 goals in 2 matches, before Sarr pulled one back (78’) for a tense finish. Norway are through to the Round of 32 alongside France. Group I’s Matchday 3 (June 26: Norway vs France in Foxborough, Senegal vs Iraq in Toronto) will determine group positions but not qualification.

Also on June 23, Portugal delivered a landmark result: a 5-0 demolition of Uzbekistan at NRG Stadium in Houston (Group K, Matchday 2). Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice, and in doing so became the first player in the history of football to score at six different World Cups. The milestone had never been reached by any man before. Nuno Mendes added a free-kick, an own goal and Rafael Leão’s strike completed the rout. Portugal top Group K with 4 points; their MD3 is against Colombia.

June 24 brought heartbreaking personal news for France: coach Didier Deschamps’ mother passed away, and he returned to France to attend her funeral. He will miss the Group I final round against Norway on June 26 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough; assistant Guy Stéphan takes temporary charge. Deschamps, who had already announced he would step down after this World Cup, has been France head coach for 14 years.

Also on June 24, Group C completed its Matchday 3 programme. Scotland faced Brazil in Miami in the match that would determine their World Cup fate, and John McGinn briefly made history by heading Scotland ahead in the 28th minute, the first time Scotland had led a World Cup match against a South American side. But Matheus Cunha swept in an equaliser (36’) and struck again (40’) before Vinicius Junior sealed a 3-1 win before half-time. Scotland are eliminated. Their 2026 World Cup, a first since 1998, ends on 3 points; they never managed to qualify for a knockout stage in any of their nine previous appearances. Brazil are through as Group C leaders; Morocco also advanced after playing Haiti in the same matchday’s other fixture.

On June 24, Groups A and B also completed their final group matches, and Group A produced one of the tournament’s defining stories. Mexico defeated Czechia 3-0 at Estadio Azteca, wrapping up Group A with a perfect 9 points. But the simultaneous result in Atlanta eclipsed everything: South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with Thapelo Maseko scoring the only goal in the 63rd minute. That single strike sent Bafana Bafana through to the Round of 32 for the first time in their World Cup history. They had appeared in six previous tournaments, including hosting the 2010 World Cup, when they became the first host nation ever eliminated in the group stage, without ever advancing. South Korea finish third on 3 points and go home. Final Group A: Mexico 9 pts (1st), South Africa 4 pts (2nd, both qualified), South Korea 3 pts (eliminated), Czechia 1 pt (eliminated).

In Group B, Switzerland beat Canada 2-1 to top the group with 7 points: Rubén Vargas broke the deadlock from a set piece in the 46th minute, Johan Manzambi doubled the Swiss lead in the 57th, and Jonathan David replied for Canada in the 76th. Canada qualify as runners-up despite the defeat, their 6-0 rout of Qatar gave them a goal difference good enough to edge out Bosnia-Herzegovina. In the other Group B match, Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Qatar 3-1: Kerim Alajbegović (29’), a Qatar own goal (34’), and Ermin Mahmić (80’) scored for Bosnia, with Hasan Al-Haydos (42’) scoring for Qatar. Bosnia finish third with 4 points and will be assessed against the other group’s third-placed sides to determine whether they enter the Round of 32 as one of the eight best thirds. Qatar are out. Final Group B: Switzerland 7 pts (1st), Canada 4 pts (2nd, both qualified), Bosnia-Herzegovina 4 pts (3rd, best-thirds assessment), Qatar 1 pt (eliminated).

June 25 concluded Group D with two simultaneous matches. At SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, an already-eliminated Türkiye produced a spirited farewell performance, beating a heavily rotated USA side 3-2 in a dead-rubber third group match. Auston Trusty headed the USA in front after just three minutes, but Arda Güler levelled in the 10th and Orkun Kökçü put Turkey ahead in the 31st. Sebastian Berhalter equalised for the USA in the 49th before Merih Ayhan struck a stunning injury-time winner in the 90+8th minute. At Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the Group D decider played out as a tense 0-0 draw between Paraguay and Australia. The goalless result was exactly what Australia needed: their superior goal difference (0 vs Paraguay’s −2) confirmed their place in the Round of 32 as Group D runners-up. Paraguay finish third with 4 points and enter the best-third assessment alongside the other 11 group third-placers. Final Group D: USA 6 pts / +4 GD (1st, qualified), Australia 4 pts / 0 GD (2nd, qualified), Paraguay 4 pts / −2 GD (3rd, best-thirds assessment), Turkey 3 pts (eliminated).

The group stage concluded by June 27, and the Round of 32, the expanded tournament’s first-ever knockout round, began on June 28 with four matches per day. The opening result saw Canada defeat South Africa 1-0, the Canadians continuing their remarkable 2026 campaign after their historic 6-0 demolition of Qatar in the group stage. On June 29, the day’s drama peaked with two penalty-shootout eliminations. Brazil beat Japan 2-1 in a controlled performance; but the evening produced two major upsets. Germany, seven-time World Cup finalists and 2014 champions, were knocked out by Paraguay 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, in one of the tournament’s biggest surprises. Then Morocco eliminated the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after another 1-1: Cody Gakpo had given the Dutch a 72nd-minute lead, but Issa Diop’s 91st-minute header, from a Chemsdine Talbi cross, forced extra time, and Morocco held their nerve in the shootout, with Ismael Saibari scoring the decisive kick. June 30 brought three more Round of 32 verdicts. France dismantled Sweden 3-0 at MetLife Stadium, Mbappé opening in the 45th minute, Barcola doubling in the 53rd, Mbappé sealing it in the 74th. France’s record now reads five wins, 16 goals scored, 2 conceded. They face Paraguay on July 4 in Philadelphia in the Round of 16. Norway edged Ivory Coast 2-1 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas: Antonio Nusa curled in from the edge of the box in the 39th, Amad Diallo equalised in the second half, and Erling Haaland prodded home from close range in the 86th for his fifth tournament goal, Norway’s first ever World Cup knockout-round victory. They face Brazil in the Round of 16. Mexico produced the tournament’s most emotionally charged result, defeating Ecuador 2-0 at Estadio Azteca: Julián Quiñones opened in the 22nd, Raúl Jiménez doubled in the 31st. It was Mexico’s first World Cup knockout-stage win in 40 years, ending a run of five consecutive quarter-final exits (1986–2018) and two group-stage failures. The ‘quinto partido’ curse is broken. Mexico face England or DR Congo in the Round of 16.

July 1 delivered the USA’s most historic World Cup moment in 24 years. Christian Pulisic returned to the starting line-up after a calf injury that had sidelined him since the group stage, and the USMNT defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman getting the goals. It was the USA’s first World Cup knockout-stage victory since defeating Mexico in the quarter-finals at the 2002 tournament in Jeonju, South Korea. The USA advance to the Round of 16, where they will face Belgium.

July 1 produced two more Round of 32 results to complete an extraordinary day. England came from a goal down to beat DR Congo 2-1: Brian Cipenga put DR Congo ahead in the 7th minute in a major shock, but Harry Kane equalised in the 75th minute and added a second shortly after, the England captain now has 5 World Cup goals at this tournament. England advance to the Round of 16, where they face Mexico. Belgium produced an even more dramatic comeback: trailing Senegal 2-0 with minutes remaining in regulation, they fought back to 2-2, then won 3-2 after extra time, one of the Round of 32’s most remarkable reversals. Belgium advance to face USA in the Round of 16.

On July 2/3, Switzerland eliminated Algeria 2-0 at BC Place in Vancouver in one of the tournament’s most emotionally charged matches. Algeria had qualified as one of the eight best third-placed teams from Group J, a position earned through their gutsy 3-3 draw against Austria (Riyad Mahrez scoring twice), and their supporters across France’s large Algerian community stayed up through the night to watch (5am CET). Breel Embolo opened the scoring in the 10th minute (Manzambi assist) and Dan Ndoye doubled the lead at the 46th. Algeria did not score. Switzerland advance to the Round of 16. Notably, Luca Zidane, son of Zinedine Zidane, who officially chose to represent Algeria in September 2025, started in goal for Algeria wearing a protective mask after a fractured jaw. His father has a confirmed agreement to become France’s head coach after this tournament.

Also on July 2: Spain defeated Austria 3-1 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Spain advance to the Round of 16. Portugal defeated Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic finish at BMO Field in Toronto: Ivan Perisic put Croatia ahead in the 53rd minute, Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot in the 68th, and Gonçalo Ramos headed in the winner at 90+4’ from a Leão cross. A Josko Gvardiol goal deep in stoppage time was ruled out by VAR for offside, sparking furious Croatian protests, before the final whistle confirmed Portugal’s passage to the Round of 16, where they face Spain.

July 3, the Round of 32 concludes with three remaining matches: Australia vs Egypt, Argentina vs Cape Verde (Messi chasing his 7th tournament goal; Argentina are defending champions and heavy favourites), and Colombia vs Ghana. The winners complete the Round of 16 bracket. The Round of 16 begins July 4, with France vs Paraguay at 5pm ET in Philadelphia as the opening fixture.

The quarter-finals (July 9–12) produced four outstanding matches. On July 9 at MetLife Stadium, France beat Morocco 2-0: Mbappé opened the scoring and added a second late on, taking his tournament total to 8 goals to draw level with Messi. On July 10 at SoFi Stadium, Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in one of the quarter-finals of the tournament: Fabián Ruiz opened, De Ketelaere equalised for Belgium, then substitute Merino scored the winner just 1’57” after coming on.

On July 11 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, England beat Norway 2-1 after extra time: Andreas Schjelderup headed Norway in front in the 36th minute, Jude Bellingham equalised before full time, then scored the winner in the 3rd minute of extra time to seal England’s semi-final place. Bellingham now has 4 tournament goals; Haaland finishes as the top scorer among all eliminated players on 7.

On July 12 at GEHA Field (Arrowhead Stadium), Kansas City, Argentina beat Switzerland 2-1 after extra time: Alexis Mac Allister put Argentina ahead in the 10th minute, Dan Ndoye equalised, Breel Embolo was sent off, and Julián Álvarez delivered the decisive blow in the 112th minute to confirm the defending champions’ passage. Lionel Messi did not score but remains co-leader of the Golden Boot on 8 goals alongside Mbappé.

The semi-final bracket is confirmed: France vs Spain (July 14, AT&T Stadium, Dallas, 3pm ET) and England vs Argentina (July 15, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 3pm ET). The final is July 19 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey.

July 14, 2026, Semi-Final 1: Spain 2-0 France (AT&T Stadium, Arlington/Dallas). Spain were clinical and controlled throughout. Mikel Oyarzabal converted a penalty in the 22nd minute after Lamine Yamal was fouled by Lucas Digne, and Pedro Porro doubled the lead in the 58th minute following a foul by Upamecano on Dani Olmo. William Saliba’s injury in the 30th minute (replaced by Lacroix) disrupted France’s defensive structure and the team never recovered. Kylian Mbappé, joint top scorer with 8 goals, was kept quiet by Porro throughout. France are eliminated. Spain advance to the final with a perfect seven wins from seven, unbeaten and having conceded just two goals in the knockout phase. Sources: FIFA, ESPN, NBC Sports.

July 15, 2026, Semi-Final 2: Argentina 2-1 England (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta). Anthony Gordon put England in front in the 55th minute, and the game looked to be heading toward another early exit for the defending champions. Then Lionel Messi took control. His cross set up Enzo Fernández to equalise in the 85th minute, and in stoppage time (90+2’) Messi delivered another assist, Lautaro Martínez tucking in the winner. Both Argentina goals were directly set up by Messi. England are eliminated and will face France in the third-place play-off on July 18 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami. The 2026 World Cup final is confirmed: Argentina vs Spain, Sunday July 19, 3pm ET at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, defending champions chasing back-to-back titles against the tournament’s dominant team. Messi (38) vs Yamal (17). Sources: FIFA, ESPN, NBC Sports.