2026 World Cup Delivers Unexpectedly Excellent Football in Opening Round

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has defied pre-tournament expectations by delivering high-quality football throughout its opening round of group matches. Despite concerns that the expanded 48-team format and multi-nation hosting arrangement might result in a slow-burning tournament, the competition has instead produced exciting matches, compelling storylines, and performances from elite players that have captured widespread acclaim.

The tournament, being hosted across three separate nations for the first time, faced several predicted obstacles. Analysts worried that expanding from 32 to 48 teams would dilute playing quality, that the requirement for third-placed teams to advance might encourage defensive football, climate challenges would affect performance, and attendance concerns could dampen stadium atmosphere. Additionally, the gruelling travel requirements for teams moving between host countries raised questions about tournament momentum. Yet after all 24 opening matches concluded, the football proved to be of a surprisingly high standard throughout.

The multi-host format itself contributed to the tournament's success. Rather than excitement concentrating on a single opening night, three different nations each provided opening-night enthusiasm with their own matches. Mexico's 2-0 victory over South Africa in Mexico City created a fantastic atmosphere, Canada sparked celebrations with a late equaliser against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the United States delivered an impressive performance with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, featuring slick interplay and quality goals. This distributed excitement across multiple venues and nations extended the tournament's initial energy.

Notably, every match has provided entertainment value. Even games between nations not expected to advance far have delivered thrilling football. New Zealand and Iran played out an energetic 2-2 draw with end-to-end action and great goals despite being unlikely to progress to the knockout rounds. Cape Verde held European champions Spain to a memorable 0-0 draw. Underdog teams have found moments of success, with Qatar securing a late equaliser against Switzerland, Curacao scoring against Germany, Iraq equalising against Norway, Jordan against Austria, and DR Congo against Portugal—many of these teams providing noteworthy performances despite defeats.

Commentators have observed that no terrible matches have occurred, and even Ghana's 1-0 victory over Panama, the tournament's most testing encounter so far, produced drama with a stoppage-time winner. This consistency in match quality, combined with expanded group stages providing more opportunities for dramatic moments, suggests the 2026 World Cup has successfully avoided the traditional five-day doldrums where pundits typically question whether the tournament will "burst into life." Instead, every day has delivered something significant.