The feed

Harry Kane has equalled Gary Lineker as England's all-time leading World Cup scorer, with 10 goals.

Luka Modrić (Croatia) is featuring at his 5th different World Cup (2006–2026).

Luka Modrić became the oldest player ever to appear for Croatia at a World Cup, aged 40 years, 281 days.

52 years after failing to score a single goal in their 1974 debut, DR Congo finally got on the World Cup scoresheet in their second WC appearance.

Cristiano Ronaldo joins Lionel Messi in the ultra-exclusive club of players to feature in six World Cups.

Congo DR have still never won a match at the World Cup — 4 games without a victory (1 draw, 3 defeats).

Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest player ever to appear for Portugal at a World Cup, aged 41 years, 131 days.

Austria have returned to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Jordan scored their first-ever World Cup goal on their tournament debut against Austria.

Marko Arnautović scored for Austria aged 37 years, 58 days — becoming the oldest goalscorer in Austria's World Cup history.

Austria have won a World Cup match for the first time since beating the United States 2-1 in 1990.

Argentina and Algeria meet at the World Cup for the very first time.

Lionel Messi holds the unique distinction of being both the youngest and oldest tournament goalscorer in his country's history.

Lionel Messi has over 60 hat-tricks across his historic career, but it is his very first hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Messi has scored his 16th World Cup goal — no player in history has scored more.

Lionel Messi has now scored at 5 different World Cups — 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026.

Lionel Messi has become the first player in history to feature in six different FIFA World Cup editions.

This is the 2nd time Argentina have won their World Cup opening match by three or more goals since they beat Greece 4-0 in 1994.

Argentina were ruthless in front of goal — 3 scored from only 1.23 expected goals.

This is the first win for South American teams at this World Cup — ending a run of 2 draws and 2 defeats against other confederations.

Argentina has won 7 straight World Cup matches against African opposition, a flawless run dating back to 1994.

Iraq have made a return to the FIFA World Cup, ending a 40-year absence since their last appearance in Mexico in 1986.

Erling Haaland is the first player ever to score more than once in a single World Cup match for Norway.

Norway have scored 4 against Iraq — the most they have ever scored in a World Cup match (previous best 2).

In their first World Cup match in 28 years, Norway beat Iraq 4-1, their first victory at the tournament since famously defeating Brazil 2-1 in 1998.

Iraq have still never won a match at the World Cup — 4 games without a victory (0 draws, 4 defeats).

Aymen Hussein (Iraq) scored a goal and an own goal in the same match — the 3rd to do so at a World Cup, after Ernie Brandts (1978) and Mario Mandžukić (2018).

France v Senegal: their 2nd World Cup meeting — Senegal won the only previous meeting.

Senegal’s Ibrahim Mbaye became the youngest African goalscorer at the FIFA World Cup and the second-youngest player to score on his debut in the competition.

Kylian Mbappé, at just 27 years old, has climbed into the 3rd* place on the men's all-time World Cup goal scorers.

*tied with Germany's Gerd Müller

Kylian Mbappé is now France's all-time leading World Cup scorer with 14 goals, overtaking Just Fontaine (13).

France are unbeaten in their last 6 World Cup openers (4 wins, 2 draws) — since losing to Senegal in 2002.

This is France's 5th World Cup win by a 3–1 scoreline.

France have just recorded their 40th win in World Cup history, the fifth most among all teams.

Ibrahim Mbaye became the 2nd player to score as a substitute for Senegal at the World Cup.

Iran and New Zealand meet at the World Cup for the very first time.

Elijah Just is the first player ever to score more than once in a single World Cup match for New Zealand.

New Zealand are unbeaten in their last 4 World Cup group-stage matches (4 draws).

New Zealand have still never won a match at the World Cup — 7 games without a victory (4 draws, 3 defeats). Only Honduras (9) and Egypt (8) have endured a longer wait.

Asian teams are unbeaten so far at this World Cup — 2 wins, 3 draws from 5 matches against other confederations.

South American teams are still without a win at this World Cup — 2 draws, 2 defeats from 4 matches against other confederations.

Uruguay had 27 shots — the 4th-most by a team in a single World Cup match in the last three World Cups.

Fernando Muslera became the oldest player ever to appear for Uruguay at a World Cup, one day shy of his 40th birthday.

Uruguay have never lost a FIFA World Cup match against a nation from Asia (AFC).

Belgium and Egypt meet at the World Cup for the very first time.

Egypt have never won a match in the World Cup history (3 draws, 5 losses).

Belgium are unbeaten in their last 8 World Cup openers (5 wins, 3 draws) — since losing to Mexico in 1986.

Mohamed Salah became the oldest player ever to appear for Egypt at a World Cup, aged 33 years, 364 days.

Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha earned a standout match rating of 9.6.

Spain had 27 shots but failed to score — the 3rd-most by a goalless team in a World Cup match in the last three World Cups.

Cape Verde Islands committed just 1 foul — the fewest by a team in a World Cup match in the last three World Cups.

Spain ran up 2.10 expected goals but failed to get past Vozinha and score.

Sweden and Tunisia meet at the World Cup for the very first time.

Sweden are unbeaten in their last 5 World Cup openers (2 wins, 3 draws) — since losing to Brazil in 1990.

Sweden have just recorded their 20th win in World Cup history.

This is the 3rd time Sweden have won their World Cup opening match by three or more goals.

Sweden were ruthless in front of goal — 5 scored from only 1.36 expected goals.

Ivory Coast and Ecuador meet at the World Cup for the very first time.

Ivory Coast have scored their first World Cup goal since 2014.

Late drama — Ivory Coast snatch a 1–0 lead against Ecuador in the 90th minute.

Ivory Coast beat South American opposition for the first time at the World Cup.

Ecuador committed just 3 fouls — the fewest by a team in a World Cup match in the last three World Cups.

South American teams are still without a win at this World Cup — 1 draw, 2 defeats from 3 matches against other confederations.

Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 10 World Cup openers (7 wins, 3 draws) — since losing to Czechoslovakia in 1938.

Netherlands failed to beat an Asian opposition for the first time at the World Cup.

Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 17 World Cup group-stage matches (12 wins, 5 draws).

Germany have become the all-time leading World Cup scoring nation, with 239 goals, overtaking Brazil.

Curaçao scored their first-ever World Cup goal on their tournament debut against Germany.

This is the 8th time Germany have won their World Cup opening match by three or more goals.

Manuel Neuer became the oldest player ever to appear for Germany at a World Cup, aged 40 years, 79 days.

Australia and Turkey meet at the World Cup for the very first time.

At 20 years and 125 days old, N. Irankunda becomes the youngest Australian player ever to score a goal at a FIFA World Cup.

Australia beat Turkey 2–0 with just 28% possession of the ball.

Turkey failed to beat an Asian opposition for the first time at the World Cup.

Turkey had 30 shots but failed to score — the most by a goalless team in a World Cup match in the last three World Cups.

Asian teams are unbeaten so far at this World Cup — 2 wins, 2 draws from 4 matches against other confederations.

Scotland have just recorded their 5th win in World Cup history.

Scotland beat North & Central American opposition for the first time at the World Cup.

Scotland have won a World Cup match for the first time since beating Sweden 2-1 in 1990.

Haiti have still never won a match at the World Cup — 4 games without a victory (0 draws, 4 defeats).

Brazil are unbeaten in their last 21 World Cup openers (17 wins, 4 draws) — since losing to Spain in 1934.

Morocco earned their first-ever point and scored their first-ever goal against South American opposition at the World Cup.

Morocco are unbeaten in their last 5 World Cup group-stage matches (2 wins, 3 draws).

Switzerland are unbeaten in their last 7 World Cup openers (3 wins, 4 draws) — since losing to West Germany in 1966.

Qatar earned their first-ever point at the World Cup and scored their first-ever goal against European opposition.

Switzerland ran up 3.20 expected goals but scored just 1

Qatar have still never won a match at the World Cup — 4 games without a victory (1 draw, 3 defeats).

European teams are still without a win at this World Cup — 2 draws, 1 defeat from 3 matches against other confederations.

Paraguay have scored their first World Cup goal since 2010.

United States have scored 4 against Paraguay — the most they have ever scored in a World Cup match.

United States are unbeaten in their last 4 World Cup openers (2 wins, 2 draws) — since losing to Czech Republic in 2006.

United States have just recorded their 10th win in World Cup history.

United States have benefited from 4 own goals at the World Cup — the 2nd-most in the competition's history.

C. Richards (United States) completed all 84 of his passes — the most passes at 100% completion by any player in a World Cup match*

*in the last three World Cups

This is the 2nd time United States have won their World Cup opening match by three or more goals.

T. Ream became the oldest player ever to appear for United States at a World Cup, aged 38 years, 251 days.

Jovo Lukić has scored the first World Cup goal for Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2014.

C. Larin scored Canada's 2nd-ever* World Cup goal.

*excluding an OG by Morocco in 2022

C. Larin became the 1st player to score as a substitute for Canada at the World Cup.

Canada earned their first-ever point at the World Cup.

Canada have still never won a match at the World Cup — 7 games without a victory (1 draw, 6 defeats). Only Honduras (9) have endured a longer wait.

Czechia have scored their first World Cup goal since 2006.

South Korea fought back to beat Czech Republic 2–1 after conceding the opening goal — their 4th World Cup win after falling behind first.

Kim Seung-Gyu became the oldest player ever to appear for South Korea at a World Cup, aged 35 years, 255 days.

J. Quiñones (Mexico) has scored the first goal of the 2026 World Cup.

J. Quiñones (Mexico) scored the opening goal of the 2026 World Cup — the first time a CONCACAF nation has scored a World Cup's opening goal.

Raúl Jiménez scored for Mexico aged 35 years, 37 days — one of the oldest scorers at a World Cup.

This was the 5th World Cup match to see 3 red cards — the first since Portugal v Netherlands in 2006.

T. Zwane (South Africa) became the 2nd oldest player sent off at a World Cup, aged 36 years, 312 days.

G. Mora (Mexico) appeared aged 17 years, 239 days — one of the youngest players ever to appear at a World Cup.

Mexico are unbeaten in their last 8 World Cup openers (6 wins, 2 draws) — since losing to Norway in 1994.