The results of the first round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup have been announced
The first round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, being held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has officially concluded. The opening round of the tournament, featuring 48 national teams in a new format, treated fans to both convincing victories by the favorites and several high-profile upsets.
One of the highlights of the first round was Lionel Messi’s performance.
The captain of the Argentine national team scored a hat trick in the match against Algeria, helping his team get off to a strong start in their title defense.
Thanks to his three goals, the Argentine tied Miroslav Klose for the most goals scored in World Cup history, once again making his mark on soccer history.
In the first round, several contenders for top spots won their matches:
- Argentina defeated Algeria 3–0;
- France defeated Senegal 3–1;
- England beat Croatia 4–2;
- The U.S. routed Paraguay 4–1;
- Sweden confidently beat Tunisia 5–1;
- Norway defeated Iraq 4–1.
Germany recorded the biggest win of the round, crushing Curaçao 7–1.
Not all the favorites managed to start with three points.
Brazil let a win slip away against Morocco (1–1), Portugal failed to beat the DR Congo (1–1), and Belgium drew with Egypt (1–1).
Spain’s draw against World Cup debutant Cape Verde was a real upset. The match ended scoreless at 0–0.
Following the first round, 24 matches have been played, with 15 ending in a win for one of the teams and 9 ending in a draw.
After the opening matches, the top spots in each group are held by:
- Group A — Mexico
- Group B — Switzerland
- Group C — Scotland
- Group D — United States
- Group E — Germany
- Group F — Sweden
- Group G — New Zealand
- Group H — Uruguay
- Group I — Norway
- Group J — Argentina
- Group K — Colombia
- Group L — England
According to the 2026 World Cup regulations, the top two teams from each group, as well as the eight best third-place finishers, will advance to the Round of 16.
Group A
Mexico – South Africa – 2:0
South Korea – Czech Republic – 2:1
Mexico – 3 points (goal difference – 2:0)
South Korea – 3 (2:1)
Czech Republic – 0 (1:2)
South Africa – 0 (0:2)
Upcoming matches:
June 18, 7:00 p.m. Czech Republic vs. South Africa
June 19, 4:00 a.m. Mexico vs. South Korea
June 25, 4:00 a.m. South Africa – South Korea
June 25, 4:00 a.m. Czech Republic vs. Mexico
Group B
Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina – 1:1
Qatar – Switzerland – 1:1
Switzerland – 1 point (goal difference – 1:1)
Canada – 1 (1:1)
Qatar – 1 (1:1)
Bosnia and Herzegovina – 1 (1:1)
Upcoming matches:
June 18, 10:00 p.m. Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
June 19, 1:00 a.m. Canada vs. Qatar
June 24, 10:00 p.m. Switzerland vs. Canada
June 24, 10:00 p.m. Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Qatar
Group C
Brazil vs. Morocco – 1–1
Haiti vs. Scotland – 0–1
Scotland – 3 points (goal difference – 1:0)
Morocco – 1 (1:1)
Brazil – 1 (1:1)
Haiti – 0 (0:1)
Upcoming matches:
June 20, 1:00 a.m. Scotland vs. Morocco
June 20, 3:30 a.m. Brazil – Haiti
June 25, 1:00 a.m. Morocco vs. Haiti
June 25, 1:00 a.m. Scotland vs. Brazil
Group D
United States vs. Paraguay – 4:1
Australia vs. Turkey – 2:0
United States – 3 points (goal difference – 4:1)
Australia – 3 (2:0)
Turkey – 0 (0:2)
Paraguay – 0 (1:4)
Upcoming matches:
June 19, 10:00 p.m. USA vs. Australia
June 20, 6:00 a.m. Turkey – Paraguay
June 26, 5:00 a.m. Turkey vs. USA
June 26, 5:00 a.m. Paraguay – Australia
Group E
Germany vs. Curaçao – 7–1
Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador – 1–0
Germany – 3 points (goal difference – 7:1)
Ivory Coast – 3 (1–0)
Ecuador – 0 (0:1)
Curaçao – 0 (1:7)
Upcoming matches:
June 20, 11:00 p.m. Germany vs. Ivory Coast
June 21, 3:00 a.m. Ecuador – Curaçao
June 25, 11:00 p.m. Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast
June 25, 11:00 p.m. Ecuador vs. Germany
Group F
Netherlands vs. Japan – 2–2
Sweden – Tunisia – 5–1
Sweden – 3 points (goal difference – 5:1)
Japan – 1 (2–2)
Netherlands – 1 (2:2)
Tunisia – 0 (1:5)
Upcoming matches:
June 20, 8:00 p.m. Netherlands vs. Sweden
June 21, 7:00 a.m. Tunisia vs. Japan
June 26, 2:00 a.m. Tunisia vs. Netherlands
June 26, 2:00 a.m. Japan vs. Sweden
Group G
Belgium vs. Egypt – 1–1
Iran – New Zealand – 2:2
New Zealand – 1 point (goal difference – 2:2)
Iran – 1 (2:2)
Belgium – 1 (1:1)
Egypt – 1 (1:1)
Upcoming matches:
June 21, 10:00 p.m. Belgium vs. Iran
June 22, 4:00 a.m. New Zealand – Egypt
June 27, 6:00 a.m. New Zealand – Belgium
June 27, 6:00 a.m. Egypt vs. Iran
Group H
Spain vs. Cape Verde – 0–0
Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay – 1:1
Uruguay – 1 point (goal difference – 1:1)
Saudi Arabia – 1 (1:1)
Spain – 1 (0–0)
Cape Verde – 1 (0:0)
Upcoming matches:
June 21, 7:00 p.m. Spain vs. Saudi Arabia
June 22, 1:00 a.m. Uruguay – Cape Verde
June 27, 3:00 a.m. Cape Verde – Saudi Arabia
June 27, 3:00 a.m. Uruguay vs. Spain
Group I
France vs. Senegal – 3–1
Iraq – Norway – 1–4
Norway – 3 points (goal difference – 4:1)
France – 3 (3–1)
Senegal – 0 (1:3)
Iraq – 0 (1:4)
Upcoming matches:
June 23, 12:00 a.m. France vs. Iraq
June 23, 3:00 a.m. Norway – Senegal
June 26, 10:00 p.m. Norway vs. France
June 26, 10:00 p.m. Senegal – Iraq
Group J
Argentina vs. Algeria – 3–0
Austria – Jordan – 3–1
Argentina – 3 points (goal difference – 3:0)
Austria – 3 (3:1)
Jordan – 0 (1:3)
Algeria – 0 (0:3)
Upcoming matches:
June 22, 8:00 p.m. Argentina vs. Austria
June 23, 6:00 a.m. Jordan – Algeria
June 28, 5:00 a.m. Algeria – Austria
June 28, 5:00 a.m. Jordan – Argentina
Group K
Portugal vs. DR Congo – 1:1
Uzbekistan – Colombia – 1–3
Colombia – 3 points (goal difference – 3:1)
DR Congo – 1 (1:1)
Portugal – 1 (1:1)
Uzbekistan – 0 (1:3)
Upcoming matches:
June 23, 8:00 p.m. Portugal vs. Uzbekistan
June 24, 5:00 a.m. Colombia – DR Congo
June 28, 2:30 a.m. Colombia vs. Portugal
June 28, 2:30 a.m. DR Congo – Uzbekistan
Group L
England – Croatia – 4–2
Ghana – Panama – 1:0
England – 3 points (goal difference – 4:2)
Ghana – 3 (1–0)
Panama – 0 (0:1)
Croatia – 0 (2:4)
Upcoming matches:
June 23, 11:00 p.m. England vs. Ghana
June 24, 2:00 a.m. Panama – Croatia
June 28, 12:00 a.m. Panama – England
June 28, 12:00 a.m. Croatia vs. Ghana
As a reminder, at the 2026 World Cup, the Argentine national team convincingly defeated Algeria on June 16 in a Group J match that kicked off the competition in the group. Lionel Messi scored a hat trick for Argentina, securing a lopsided victory for his team.
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