sports
Expanded 2026 World Cup Draws Surprises From First-Time Teams
The 48-team FIFA World Cup has produced several draws and upsets involving nations making their tournament debut. Matches between established sides and newcomers have remained competitive through the group stage.
thesouthafrican.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup expanded from 32 to 48 teams, prompting concerns that early matches would become lopsided. Results through the first ten days have instead featured multiple draws and narrow wins by lower-ranked sides. Cape Verde, appearing at its first World Cup, drew 0-0 with Spain and 2-2 with Uruguay.
The team from a nation of roughly 560,000 people remains in position to reach the round of 32.
Curacao, the smallest country ever to qualify, earned its first World Cup point with a 0-0 draw against Ecuador. The goalkeeper recorded 15 saves in that match. Scotland returned to the tournament for the first time since 1998. The team opened with a 1-0 win over Haiti before losing 1-0 to Morocco and will face Brazil next.
The United States secured first place in its group after a 2-0 win over Australia and an earlier victory against Paraguay. The final group match against Turkey carries reduced stakes for advancement. Several players face suspension risk from accumulated yellow cards. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino is expected to rest some starters in the remaining match.
Argentina plays Austria on Monday after opening with a 3-0 win. Portugal faces Uzbekistan on Tuesday following a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additional group matches this week include France versus Iraq, England versus Ghana, and Switzerland versus Canada. The group stage concludes Saturday, with the round of 32 beginning June 28.
