The first batch of group-stage matches has produced a mix of expected wins, a few eye-catching surprises, and some very high-scoring games.
Biggest surprises so far
1. Morocco holding Brazil to a draw (1-1)
This is probably the standout surprise of the opening round. Brazil entered as one of the tournament favourites, but Morocco continued the giant-killing form they’ve shown in recent years and earned a deserved point. It immediately makes Group C much more competitive. https://brazil-2026.com
2. Scotland leading Group C
Scotland’s 1-0 win over Haiti, combined with the Brazil–Morocco draw, means Scotland sit on top of Group C after the first set of matches. Not many would have predicted that before kickoff. (365Scores)
3. Japan drawing with the Netherlands (2-2)
The Dutch were favourites, but Japan earned an impressive point in one of the most entertaining matches so far. Group F is now wide open. https://netherlands-2026.com/
4. USA’s emphatic 4-1 win over Paraguay
The United States were expected to compete strongly as hosts, but the margin of victory was larger than many expected and immediately put them atop Group D. (365Scores)
Games with 4 or more total goals
| Match | Score | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Germany vs Curaçao | 7-1 | 8 |
| Sweden vs Tunisia | 5-1 | 6 |
| USA vs Paraguay | 4-1 | 5 |
| Netherlands vs Japan | 2-2 | 4 |
These matches have supplied 23 goals between them, accounting for a large share of the tournament’s scoring so far. (OddsCalendar)
Most impressive performances
- Germany made the strongest statement with a 7-1 demolition of Curaçao, the biggest win and highest-scoring game of the tournament to date. (The Guardian)
- Sweden followed that up with a commanding 5-1 victory over Tunisia, their highest World Cup goal tally in decades. (Reuters)
- United States looked sharp in attack and could be one of the teams whose stock has risen most after Round 1. (365Scores)
After one round, the teams that have enhanced their reputations most are:
- Germany (https://germany-2026.com
- Sweden
- United States
- Morocco
- Japan
Meanwhile, Brazil are the major heavyweight under pressure after dropping points in their opener. (The Guardian)
