World Cup 2026 Sees Surprising Performances from Newcomer Teams

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In an impressive display, Cape Verde’s midfielder Kevin Pina celebrated after netting his team’s first goal during their World Cup clash against Uruguay in Miami Gardens, Fla. Cape Verde’s match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw. This follows their surprising 0-0 draw against Spain, demonstrating the potential of this nation with a population of over half a million to reach the knockout stages.

Equally impressive is Curacao, competing in the World Cup for the first time. With a population of just 158,000, they held Ecuador to a scoreless draw. Goalkeeper Eloy Room’s 15 saves ensured Curacao earned their first-ever World Cup point.

Another team capturing attention is Scotland, appearing in the World Cup after a long absence since 1998. They marked their return with a 1-0 victory over Haiti and narrowly missed a win against Morocco with a 1-0 defeat. Scotland faces Brazil next in Group C, and even a defeat against the multiple-time champions might still see them advance.

The United States comfortably progressed to the knockout stage after victories against Australia (2-0) and Paraguay. With Turkey losing both its opening matches, the U.S. secured the top spot in Group D. Consequently, their upcoming match against Turkey might see some lineup changes, with coach Mauricio Pochettino likely resting key players such as Christian Pulisic and others with yellow cards.

Argentina’s chances remain strong, highlighted by Lionel Messi’s hat trick in their 3-0 opener against Algeria. However, Portugal’s situation isn’t as clear. During Portugal’s 1-1 tie with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a disappointing performance, failing to make an impact. They face Uzbekistan in their next Group K match, which holds significant importance.

This week’s notable matches include France vs. Iraq, England vs. Ghana, and Switzerland vs. Canada. In Group F, Tunisia takes on the Netherlands, while Sweden faces Japan.

The group stage concludes on Saturday, setting the stage for the knockout round beginning Sunday, June 28, with the first Round of 32 game.