2026 FIFA WORLD CUP: Excitements, dramas, shocks, goals at first round of matches

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP: Excitements, dramas, shocks, goals at first round of matches

By Akeem Busari 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup ongoing in Canada, Mexico and USA, kicked off with aplomb and excitements across the co-host nations. And despite the expected challenges and political innuendos.

While the matches produced an impressive 75 goals in twenty-four matches from across the 12 groups of four teams each, the big names of the game, including seven-time Balon D'or winner Lionel Messi, showed up strongly by leading the scorers chat with three goals scored against Algeria, while England’s captain Harry Kane, Folarin Balogun, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, equally showed intentions to leave a memorable mark in the tournament.

South Africa started the journey for Africa losing 0-2 to co-host Mexico. And against all odds, last tournament's semi-finalists Morocco, proved a tough nut to crack for perennial favourites Brazil, as they fought out a 1-1 draw. Germany thrashed first-timers Curaçao 7-1, but beyond the big scoreline, it was a big moment for the tiny country and its people, as they made history of participating and of course, scoring a first-ever world cup goal.

Cote D'Ivoire gave Africa its first win with a 1-0 victory over Ecuador, while Ghana tipped Panama 1-0 for the second Africa's victory, Egypt played out a 1-1 draw with Belgium, and against all odds, Dr Congo held Portugal to a pulsating 1-1 draw.

For Tunisia, Senegal, and Algeria, it was a bad day in their different offices, as they lost their opening games. 

The biggest cheers of the first round of matches was left for debutants  Cabo Verde ( Cape Verde), who played a determined and resolute game against top tournament's favourites Spain, that ended scoreless, with 40 years old Cabo Verde's goalkeeper Vozinha, emerging Man-Of-The- Match, with incredible saves.