World Cup 2026: The story so far

We have now had the chance to see every nation at this World Cup in action at least once in North America, at this expanded 48-team tournament.

It has been an entertaining start, with 75 goals scored across the opening 24 matches, and we take a look at how things stand in each of the 12 groups.

Group A

It looked like this group would be a two-horse race after Mexico and South Korea both impressed at the start, the hosts defeating South Africa 2-0 in the opening game of the World Cup, before the Asian side fought back to win 2-1 against Czechia.

However, Mexico came out on top with a narrow 1-0 victory in a tense meeting with South Korea in Guadalajara, a result which means the winners are guaranteed to top the group and play their last 32 game in Mexico City. A draw between Czechia and South Africa means their chances of progressing look precarious going into the final games.

Group B

Cyle Larin came off the bench to get an equalizer for co-hosts Canada in their opening 1-1 draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina, but they then seized control of the group by thrashing a Qatar side which was reduced to nine men 6-0.

Switzerland’s win over the Bosnians – recovering from a disappointing draw with Qatar – leaves them on four points too, but Canada’s better goal difference means a draw between the two teams would leave the co-hosts top and staying on home soil for the next round.

Bosnia & Herzegovina and Qatar both realistically need a win when they meet to have a chance of going through.

Group C

Having impressed as the dark horses at the last World Cup by reaching the semis, Morocco were at it again with a strong opening game of this tournament, taking the lead against Brazil before later being pushed back and having to settle for a draw.

That allowed Scotland to take a surprise top spot in Group C after the first games, as John McGinn’s goal against Haiti gave the British side their first World Cup win since 1990.

Group D

Co-hosts the USA’s four goals in their first game on home soil was more than they managed in the whole of the 2022 World Cup, thrashing Paraguay 4-1 to make a flying start in Los Angeles.

That strong early goal difference is what puts them top of the group, ahead of Australia, who put in a disciplined counter-attacking performance to beat Turkey 2-0.

Group E

Moises Caicedo and Ecuador went into this tournament with big hopes after an impressive qualifying campaign, but after hitting the woodwork three times a late goal condemned them to a 1-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast.

In the other game, minnows Curacao briefly looked in with a shout of causing an upset when they levelled the scores in the first half against Germany, but the Europeans had too much for their opponents and ran away to triumph 7-1 and top the group.

Group F

Jorrel Hato was among the substitutes for Netherlands’ entertaining opening game, as they twice took the lead only to be pegged back by Japan on each occasion in a 2-2 draw.

That gave Sweden the chance to take an early lead in the group, which they managed emphatically by beating Tunisia 5-1, a result which saw the African nation immediately dismiss their manager Sabri Lamouchi and replace him with Herve Renard for the rest of the World Cup.

Group G

It is all level in Group G after the opening round of games, with each of the four teams sitting on one point a piece after a pair of draws.

Belgium were thankful for an own goal which salvaged a point after going behind to Egypt, while Elijah Just scored New Zealand’s first-ever World Cup brace, only for Iran to fight back after both goals to make it 2-2 at the end.

Group H

Even the first goalless game of this entertaining World Cup had a story to tell, as tournament debutants Cape Verde shocked everyone by holding much-fancied Spain to a 0-0 draw in Atlanta, with veteran goalkeeper Vozinha emerging as the hero.

Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia took a first-half lead against Uruguay and held it until the 80th minute before the scores were levelled, meaning it is also all square with one point each in Group H.

Group I

The big-name strikers came to the fore as the two European teams took control of Group I from the start. Malo Gusto’s France are one of the favourites for this tournament and showed why as Kylian Mbappe scored twice in a confident 3-1 win over a Senegal side which started with Nicolas Jackson and had Mamadou Sarr on the bench.

Not to be outdone, Erling Haaland scored his first two World Cup goals as Norway showed why their fans are so excited for this team’s chances by dismissing an early challenge from Iraq to win 4-1 and narrowly lead the group.

Group J

Enzo Fernandez and Argentina wasted no time in showing everyone why they are the defending champions and laying out their case to become the first country to retain the title since 1970. Lionel Messi was the hero once again, as he netted this tournament’s first hat-trick to send Argentina top with a 3-0 win over Algeria.

In the other game, Austria initially struggled to assert their authority over newcomers Jordan, with the scores locked at 1-1 going into the final 15 minutes, but an own goal and late penalty eventually gave the Europeans a 3-1 win.

Group K

Things started well for Pedro Neto and Portugal when the Chelsea man’s cross was headed in by Joao Neves to give them a sixth-minute lead over the returning DR Congo. The Africans fought back though, and equalised on the brink of half-time to earn a 1-1 draw.

Uzbekistan are making their World Cup debut and also battled back to equalise against their more illustrious opponents Colombia, but this time the South Americans rallied to score twice in the last 25 minutes for a 3-1 win and top spot in the group.

Group L

Reece James was in England’s starting line-up, with late call-up Trevoh Chalobah among the subs, as the Three Lions made a winning start. Croatia pegged them back after two Harry Kane goals to level the scores at half-time, but England scored twice more after the break for a 4-2 victory.

The group’s other game saw Panama go agonisingly close to earning their first group point at a World Cup, only to be outdone late on when Ghana scored a 95th-minute winner to go second in Group L, behind early leaders England.

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