The 2026 World Cup has brought excitement and surprises since expanding from 32 to 48 teams. Initially, some soccer enthusiasts worried that including lower-ranked countries would lead to uneven matches. However, the games have proved thrilling, with unexpected results keeping fans engaged.
One of the standout performances came from Cape Verde, who held Uruguay to a 2-2 draw in Miami Gardens, Florida. Kevin Pina’s goal for Cape Verde, a nation with just over half a million people, was a key moment. Their earlier draw against Spain places them in a promising position to reach the knockout stage.
Curacao is also making headlines, being the smallest nation ever to participate in the World Cup with a population of 158,000. They secured a 0-0 draw against Ecuador, with goalkeeper Eloy Room making 15 impressive saves, earning Curacao its first World Cup point.
Scotland returned to the World Cup after a long absence, having last appeared in 1998. They achieved a 1-0 victory over Haiti and narrowly lost 1-0 to Morocco. Next in Group C, Scotland will face Brazil. Even with a defeat, they might still move forward to the knockout stage.
For the United States, the path looks more straightforward. The American team advanced to the knockout round after a commanding 2-0 win against Australia. The U.S. secured Group D’s top spot after Paraguay defeated Turkey, making the upcoming match against Turkey less critical. Changes in the lineup are anticipated, with Christian Pulisic recovering from an injury. Players like Folarin Balogun, Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, and Tyler Adams, who face the risk of suspension from yellow cards, might sit out this game.
Argentina’s journey continues as Lionel Messi shines. He scored a hat trick in their dominant 3-0 win versus Algeria. Argentina is expected to advance with ease, while Portugal faces uncertainty. Cristiano Ronaldo struggled in Portugal’s lackluster 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Portugal’s next match against Uzbekistan is crucial for their progress in Group K.
The coming week includes several notable matches. France will match against Iraq, England faces Ghana, and Switzerland meets Canada. Tunisia will play against the Netherlands, and Sweden will compete with Japan. The group stage ends Saturday, with the knockout rounds starting on Sunday, June 28.
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