Brazil opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 win over Scotland at SoFi Stadium. Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Raphinha tormented the Scottish defence all night, and a consolation goal did little to mask the gulf in class.
Argentina opened their title defense with a 3-0 win over Jordan at MetLife Stadium, and at the centre of it all is Lionel Messi, almost certainly playing his last World Cup. Can the champions go back-to-back, and what does this tournament mean for his legacy?
The United States opened their home World Cup with a 2-0 win over Australia, easing early nerves around the co-host nation. With Christian Pulisic leading a talented young squad, expectations have never been higher, but neither has the pressure to deliver on home soil.
The favourites dominate the headlines, but World Cups are often defined by the teams nobody expected. We look at four dark horses for 2026, Morocco, Croatia, Uruguay and Japan, and why each could go further than the bookmakers suggest.
The 2026 World Cup is the first with 48 teams, and the format has changed accordingly. We break down the 12-group structure, how teams qualify for the knockouts, and how the expanded bracket runs all the way to the final at MetLife Stadium.
