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World Cup 2026: Upsets Shake Up Opening Round
21 Jun
Summary
- Several underdogs frustrated tournament favorites in opening matches.
- Mexico and USA are the only teams to qualify for the Round of 32.
- Haiti and Turkey are the first teams eliminated from the World Cup.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 has delivered early surprises following the first round of group stage matches. Several underdog nations have challenged traditional powerhouses, leading to unexpected draws and close contests. This has created a finely balanced situation in many groups heading into the second set of fixtures.
Traditional giants like Argentina, France, England, and Germany secured opening victories. Meanwhile, co-hosts USA and Mexico also began with wins. Notably, Mexico and the USA have already secured their spots in the Round of 32. Conversely, Haiti and Turkey have become the first teams to be eliminated from the tournament after early defeats.
Some standout results include Spain being held to a draw, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia sharing points, and Portugal drawing with DR Congo. Brazil also drew their opening match against Morocco. These results underscore the competitive nature of the expanded tournament format, setting the stage for intriguing upcoming matches.
