Six Things We Learned From World Cup 2026’s First Week
Updated 17 June 2026.
One week into World Cup 2026, the big lessons are clear: the hosts have started well, several favourites have stumbled, the debutants can compete, and goals are flowing. The first 48-team finals is living up to its billing, with the expanded format already producing the open, unpredictable group stage it promised. Here is what we learned from the opening round.
The hosts are up and running
All three host nations had positive openings. Mexico beat South Africa 2-0 at the Azteca, the United States hammered Paraguay 4-1, and Canada earned the first World Cup point in their history against Bosnia. For a tournament built around home support across three countries, that is the start organisers wanted. See the USA 4-1 Paraguay report.
Some favourites are already stumbling
Not everyone impressed. Spain were held 0-0 by debutants Cabo Verde, Brazil were pegged back to 1-1 by Morocco, and Belgium needed an own goal to draw with Egypt. In the expanded format, dropped points early can complicate qualification even for the strongest sides. The Spain 0-0 Cabo Verde story was the standout.
The debutants belong
Cabo Verde’s point against Spain headlined a strong showing from the tournament’s smaller nations. Curaçao, the smallest country ever to qualify, even scored against Germany before losing 7-1, and New Zealand twice led Iran. The widened field is giving more nations real moments on the biggest stage.
Goals are flowing
Germany’s 7-1 rout of Curaçao and Sweden’s 5-1 win over Tunisia set an attacking tone, and the early matches produced a healthy goals-per-game rate. The Germany 7-1 Curaçao report was the biggest win so far.
The new format is doing its job
With the top two and the eight best third-placed sides advancing, very few teams are out of contention after one game. That keeps more nations alive deeper into the group stage, exactly the competitive balance the 48-team expansion was designed to create. Track the race on our standings page and the format in our complete World Cup 2026 guide.
Frequently asked questions
What have we learned from World Cup 2026 so far?
The hosts have started well, several favourites such as Spain and Brazil have dropped points, the debutant nations have competed strongly, and goals have flowed, with Germany and Sweden posting big wins.
Are the favourites in trouble at World Cup 2026?
Not in trouble, but warned. Spain, Brazil and Belgium all drew their openers. In the 48-team format the top two and best third-placed teams advance, so early draws are not fatal but they raise the pressure.
Sources: 2026 FIFA World Cup.
