Czech Republic looked set for a crucial three points after Michal Sadilek’s sixth-minute opener, but South Africa’s Teboho Mokoena pulled level with seven minutes remaining to earn Bafana Bafana a share of the spoils at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in
Colombia made a winning start to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a 3-1 victory over debutants Uzbekistan at the Estadio Azteca on June 18. Luis Diaz was the standout performer, contributing a goal and an assist, while
Ghana survived a dominant Panama first half to claim three points in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group L opener, with substitute-era sub Caleb Yirenkyi tapping in Brandon Thomas-Asante’s cross deep into stoppage time at BMO Field. The result
England opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas on June 17, but it was far from straightforward. Harry Kane’s twice-taken penalty and second header had England ahead twice, only for Croatia
A sixth-minute João Neves header gave Portugal a dream start at NRG Stadium on June 18, but Congo DR, back at the World Cup for the first time since 1974, struck through Yoane Wissa on the stroke of half-time
Austria ended a 28-year wait to return to the World Cup stage in winning fashion, beating first-time finalists Jordan 3-1 at Levi’s Stadium. Romano Schmid’s curling opener, a Yazan Al Arab own goal, and a late Arnautovic penalty did
Lionel Messi delivered one of the landmark individual performances of the 2026 World Cup, scoring three times in Argentina’s 3-0 Group J victory over Algeria at Arrowhead Stadium. The hat-trick — his first at a World Cup — came
Norway opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Iraq in Boston, powered by a brace from Erling Haaland on his long-awaited tournament debut. Iraq briefly levelled through Aymen Hussein, only the second World
France opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal at MetLife Stadium on 16 June, as Kylian Mbappe’s second-half brace made him France’s all-time top scorer. Bradley Barcola also got on the scoresheet, while
Saudi Arabia earned a hard-fought point against two-time World Cup winners Uruguay at Hard Rock Stadium on June 16, with goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais producing a string of crucial saves after Abdulelah Al Amri’s first-half opener was cancelled out by