World Cup 2026 first round recap: Results, standings and match schedule
The World Cup has completed its first round (photo: Getty Images)
The opening round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada has officially concluded. The first matches in the new format featuring 48 national teams delivered both expected victories for favorites and major surprises, according to the official tournament website
Highlights of the first round
Defending world champions Argentina confidently began their title defense thanks to a historic hat-trick by Lionel Messi, which allowed him to equal Miroslav Klose in World Cup goals.
Convincing opening wins were recorded by Argentina, France, England, the United States, Sweden, and Norway. The biggest blowout of the first round came from Germany, who completely dismantled Curaçao’s defense, scoring seven goals.
At the same time, strong teams such as Brazil, Portugal, and Belgium failed to secure maximum points in their matches, settling for draws against resilient opponents, while Spain also drew goalless with tournament debutant Cape Verde.
In total, 24 matches were played over one week across 12 groups: 15 matches ended in a win for one of the teams, while 9 ended in draws.
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)
Group A
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 vs South Korea
- June 25, 4:00 a.m. Czech Republic vs Mexico
Group B
Canada vs Bosnia and Herzegovina 1:1
Qatar vs Switzerland 1:1
- Switzerland 1 point goal difference 1:1
- Canada 1 point 1:1
- Qatar 1 point 1:1
- Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 point 1:1
Group B
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 point 1:1
- Brazil 1 point 1:1
- Haiti 0 points 0:1
Group D
Upcoming matches
- June 19, 10:00 p.m. USA vs Australia
- June 20, 6:00 a.m. Turkey vs Paraguay
- June 26, 5:00 a.m. Turkey vs USA
- June 26, 5:00 a.m. Paraguay vs Australia
Group E
Germany vs Curaçao — 7:1
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador — 1:0
- Germany — 3 points, goal difference 7:1
- Ivory Coast — 3 points, 1:0
- Ecuador — 0 points, 0:1
- Curaçao — 0 points, 1:7
Group E
Upcoming matches
- June 20, 11:00 p.m. Germany vs Ivory Coast
- June 21, 3:00 a.m. Ecuador vs 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 vs Tunisia — 5:1
- Sweden — 3 points, goal difference 5:1
- Japan — 1 point, 2:2
- Netherlands — 1 point, 2:2
- Tunisia — 0 points, 1:5
Group F
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 vs New Zealand — 2:2
- New Zealand — 1 point, goal difference 2:2
- Iran — 1 point, 2:2
- Belgium — 1 point, 1:1
- Egypt — 1 point, 1:1
Group G
Upcoming matches
- June 21, 10:00 p.m. Belgium vs Iran
- June 22, 4:00 a.m. New Zealand vs Egypt
- June 27, 6:00 a.m. New Zealand vs 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 point, 1:1
- Spain 1 point, 0:0
- Cape Verde 1 point, 0:0
Group H
Upcoming matches
- June 21, 7:00 p.m. Spain vs Saudi Arabia
- June 22, 1:00 a.m. Uruguay vs Cape Verde
- June 27, 3:00 a.m. Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia
- June 27, 3:00 a.m. Uruguay vs Spain
Group I
France vs Senegal 3:1
Iraq vs Norway 1:4
- Norway - 3 points goal difference 4:1
- France - 3 points 3:1
- Senegal - 0 points 1:3
- Iraq 0 points - 1:4
Group I
Upcoming matches
- June 23, 12:00 a.m. France vs Iraq
- June 23, 3:00 a.m. Norway vs Senegal
- June 26, 10:00 p.m. Norway vs France
- June 26, 10:00 p.m. Senegal vs Iraq
Group J
Argentina vs Algeria — 3:0
Austria vs Jordan — 3:1
- Argentina — 3 points, goal difference 3:0
- Austria — 3 points, 3:1
- Jordan — 0 points, 1:3
- Algeria — 0 points, 0:3
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group J
Upcoming matches
- June 22, 8:00 p.m. Argentina vs Austria
- June 23, 6:00 a.m. Jordan vs Algeria
- June 28, 5:00 a.m. Algeria vs Austria
- June 28, 5:00 a.m. Jordan vs Argentina
Group K
Portugal vs DR Congo 1:1
Uzbekistan vs Colombia 1:3
- Colombia - 3 points goal difference 3:1
- DR Congo - 1 point 1:1
- Portugal - 1 point 1:1
- Uzbekistan - 0 points 1:3
Group K
Upcoming matches
- June 23, 8:00 p.m. Portugal vs Uzbekistan
- June 24, 5:00 a.m. Colombia vs DR Congo
- June 28, 2:30 a.m. Colombia vs Portugal
- June 28, 2:30 a.m. DR Congo vs Uzbekistan
Group L
England vs Croatia 4:2
Ghana vs Panama 1:0
- England - 3 points goal difference 4:2
- Ghana - 3 points 1:0
- Panama - 0 points 0:1
- Croatia - 0 points 2:4
Group L
Upcoming matches
- June 23, 11:00 p.m. England vs Ghana
- June 24, 2:00 a.m. Panama vs Croatia
- June 28, 12:00 a.m. Panama vs England
- June 28, 12:00 a.m. Croatia vs Ghana
Tickets to the Round of 16 will be awarded to the top two teams from each group, as well as the eight best third-placed teams.
