The group stage of the 2026 World Cup concluded after 72 matches, clearing the path for the knockout rounds with 32 teams. Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over South Africa in Mexico City, and the final group match between Austria and Algeria ended in a 3-3 draw early on June 28 in Dallas.
FIFA confirmed that the tournament has broken the all-time attendance record for a World Cup, exceeding 3.6 million people — well ahead of the 3.4 million mark set by Qatar 2022, despite the competition still having three weeks to run.
Eurasian axis still dominates
UEFA teams showed their class, with France leading the way after a perfect group stage. Norway, despite never progressing past the round of 16, is also gearing up for a deeper run. From CONMEBOL, Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia all topped their groups, while Ecuador caused a surprise by eliminating Germany to advance.
Africa and co-hosts make their mark
Nine of the 10 African teams advanced past the group stage, with Morocco setting a target of reaching the final after their semifinal run in 2022. The United States, under coach Mauricio Pochettino, started impressively with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay and a 2-0 win over Australia, but then lost 2-3 to Turkey, exposing weaknesses in squad depth and injuries.
Messi and the Golden Boot race
Lionel Messi, at age 39, leads the scoring charts with six goals in three matches. The Argentine star broke the all-time World Cup scoring record (17 goals), surpassing Miroslav Klose. Though this is widely expected to be Messi's final World Cup, he has shown remarkable adaptability with a playmaking style and enduring stamina.
Underdog surprises
Cape Verde became the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout stage, finishing second in a group containing Spain and Uruguay. Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo, back after 52 years, also left their mark. Iran were eliminated despite being unbeaten with three draws, while Iraq scored their first World Cup goal in 40 years.
Global festival atmosphere
Despite high ticket prices and travel challenges, fans from around the world turned host cities into a football party. Supporters from Scotland, the Netherlands, and many other nations brought vibrant energy. The tournament has shown the World Cup spirit remains alive, with 72 matches played over the past 2.5 weeks.
