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Cabo Verde came from behind to draw 2-2 with Uruguay in a World Cup group match, with Kevin Pina scoring their first-ever World Cup goal. The result leaves both teams on two points in Group H, while Spain leads with four.
Cape Verde advanced to the World Cup knockout stages on their debut appearance after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia, finishing as runners-up in Group H. They will face defending champions Argentina on 3 July in Miami.
Spain defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0 in their second FIFA World Cup group-stage match, with goals from Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, and an own goal by Hasan Tambakti. Spain tops Group H with four points.
Spain recovered from a frustrating opening draw to thrash Saudi Arabia 4-0 in Group H, with Lamine Yamal scoring his first World Cup goal and Mikel Oyarzabal netting twice. Saudi Arabia finished bottom of the group and the president of its football federation resigned, while Uruguay were eliminated after a 1-0 loss to Spain.
Spain faces Saudi Arabia in Atlanta after a scoreless draw with Cabo Verde, while Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Uruguay. Other matches include Belgium vs Iran, with travel restrictions affecting Iran, and Germany advancing to the knockouts.
Switzerland secured a dramatic 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup Group B clash, with substitute Johan Manzambi scoring twice after coming on in the 71st minute. The match erupted in the final 30 minutes, featuring a red card, a stoppage-time penalty, and a late consolation goal for Bosnia.
The opening group stage of the 2026 World Cup delivered record-breaking performances, unexpected results, and standout individual displays. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to set a new all-time goals record, Cristiano Ronaldo answered his critics with two goals, and teams like Iran and Cape Verde made their mark.
Off-the-cuff remarks at the G7 summit, caught by live microphones, revealed leaders discussing sports, cigarettes, and Greenland. Italian PM Giorgia Meloni's quitting smoking drew congratulations, while President Trump's 'I'm the boss' quip earned laughs.
Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria, equalling Miroslav Klose's all-time record of 16 goals. The 38-year-old captain, playing in his record sixth World Cup, also marked his 200th international appearance. Algeria has lodged a complaint with FIFA over an unpunished tackle by Messi.
Norway defeated Iraq 4-1 in the opening Group I match of the FIFA World Cup, with Erling Haaland scoring twice on his tournament debut. Outlets disagree on the identity of Norway's fourth scorer, while Zidane Iqbal became the first player of Pakistani heritage to appear in a World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as France opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal, becoming France's all-time top scorer with 58 goals and moving to 14 career World Cup goals, two behind record-holder Miroslav Klose. Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye also found the net in a Group I clash.
Cape Verde's veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, born Josimar Dias, delivered a standout performance in a 0-0 draw against Spain at the 2026 World Cup, earning him international acclaim and millions of new social media followers. At 40, his journey from obscure club football to global recognition is intertwined with a unique naming story linked to the 1986 World Cup. Meanwhile, the match and his emotional post-game comments have highlighted ongoing visa issues affecting African teams and fans in the United States.
Tunisia have dismissed head coach Sabri Lamouchi after a 5-1 loss to Sweden in their World Cup opener and appointed French coach Hervé Renard for the remainder of the tournament. The move comes as Tunisia face an uphill battle to reach the knockout stage for the first time in their seventh appearance.
Cape Verde earned a historic 0-0 draw against Spain in their first-ever World Cup match, with 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha delivering a standout performance. Spain dominated possession but failed to break down the debutants' defense, while other results saw Belgium draw with Egypt and Iran.
Iran came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with New Zealand in their World Cup Group G opener, with Elijah Just scoring twice for New Zealand and Ramin Rezaeian and Mohammad Mohebi replying for Iran. The match was overshadowed by protests against Iran's government outside the stadium and a charged political backdrop.
Egypt and Belgium opened their World Cup Group G campaign with a 1-1 draw in Seattle, with Emam Ashour's 19th-minute strike cancelled out by an own goal forced by Romelu Lukaku. The result leaves both teams level at the top of the group, while Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has downplayed any talk of unrest involving Mohamed Salah.
France face Senegal in their second Group I match of the 2026 World Cup, with both teams looking to build on their opening results. Kylian Mbappe leads France after a two-goal performance in their first game, while Senegal seek their first points after a loss. Other matches include Argentina vs Algeria, Norway vs Iraq, and Austria vs Jordan.
Lionel Messi is set to make history as the first player to feature in six World Cups, leading defending champions Argentina in their bid to retain the title. The team opens against Algeria, with coach Lionel Scaloni downplaying favourites tag while praising his captain's enduring form.
Substitute Amad Diallo scored in the 90th minute to give Ivory Coast a 1-0 victory over Ecuador in their opening match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The win, their first at a World Cup since 2014, ended Ecuador's 19-game unbeaten streak and marked Africa's first victory at the tournament.
Germany began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 7-1 victory over debutants Curacao, with Felix Nmecha scoring first and Livano Comenencia equalizing for the Caribbean side. Manuel Neuer, at 40, became the oldest German player to appear in a World Cup, and the match was played in Houston.