The first round of matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has already delivered what every football fan hopes for at a major tournament: surprises, statement performances, unexpected heroes, and early warning signs for some of the biggest teams in the world.
From underdogs making their mark to favourites being tested, young stars shining, Messi’s continued brilliance, a fast-starting Golden Boot race, and strong starts from the host nations, early storylines are already emerging.
Here are the biggest winners and early concerns so far.
WINNERS
The underdogs have arrived
The expanded 48-team World Cup was expected to raise questions about competitiveness, but the opening round has already challenged those doubts.
Cape Verde held Spain to a goalless draw, with goalkeeper Vozinha producing one of the standout performances of the round.
DR Congo earned a historic 1-1 draw against Portugal, while Saudi Arabia frustrated Uruguay in another surprise result. Several smaller nations have shown they can compete on the biggest stage.
The gap between the traditional giants and the rest may be smaller than expected.
Messi and Argentina set the standard
The defending champions have started strongly, and once again Lionel Messi is at the centre of the story.
With three goals already, Messi has shown his importance to Argentina’s campaign. Beyond the goals, Argentina look calm, organised, and confident — qualities that make them one of the teams to beat.
Even as other favourites stumble, Argentina’s start is a reminder that they remain serious contenders.
The golden boot race is already heating up
Just Fontaine’s record of 13 goals in a single World Cup (1958) remains the benchmark, but early signs suggest this year’s race could become intense much earlier than expected.
After just one round, the scoring chart is already packed at the top, with Lionel Messi setting the early pace while players like Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Kai Havertz, Folarin Balogun, Yasin Ayari, and Eli Just are also among the early scorers.
EARLY WARNING SIGNS
Big favourites under pressure
Several big teams have discovered that dominance does not always guarantee results.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal were frustrated by DR Congo, while Spain failed to break down Cape Verde. Switzerland also shared the points against Qatar despite controlling large spells of the game.
Brazil dropped points against Morocco, while Uruguay endured another frustrating outing.
For many favourites, dominance has not translated into goals or results, with several lacking sharpness in attack, struggling to create clear chances, and failing to make their control count.
Matches are becoming more stop start
The rhythm of matches has already been disrupted by frequent stoppages, including hydration breaks and tactical pauses introduced to help players cope with extreme heat conditions across North America.
While designed for player safety, the breaks have interrupted momentum at key moments.
Instead of long continuous spells of pressure, matches are unfolding in shorter bursts, making it harder for teams to settle into rhythm or fully impose themselves, particularly sides built on possession and control.
The stop-start pattern has also raised concerns about the viewing experience, with some games feeling less fluid.
Fans are filling stadiums but not everyone can be there
Attendance has been strong across venues, with packed stadiums and FIFA confirming that a record 281,223 fans passed through stadium turnstiles on 16 June, surpassing the previous mark of 277,070 set in 1994.
But visa restrictions and travel requirements have meant some supporters have been unable to attend matches.
Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly has also highlighted these challenges, saying: “I think that every team can have their people, so I don’t understand why people from Africa cannot have their people.”
Vozinha also shared a personal side of the tournament, revealing he was unable to have his mother present for his World Cup debut.
After one round, the 2026 World Cup has already shown that it will not follow a predictable script. The favourites remain strong, but the challengers are making their presence known.
