The 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun, delivering memorable moments right from the start. Mexico’s match against South Africa featured three red cards, the most seen in a World Cup match in two decades, marking a historic first for an opening game. Mexico triumphed with a 2-0 victory in Mexico City.
In another exciting clash, South Korea made a surprising comeback, defeating Czechia with two late goals from Hwang In-Beom and Oh Hyeon-Gyu. Friday witnessed Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina drawing 1-1 in Toronto, while the USMNT impressed by overpowering Paraguay with a 4-1 win before a packed crowd of over 70,000 at SoFi Stadium.
The weekend continued with thrilling matches. Qatar and Switzerland ended in a draw thanks to a last-minute goal by Boualem Khoukhi, resulting in all four Group B teams having one point each. Brazil was held to a 1-1 draw by Morocco at MetLife Stadium, Australia achieved a 2-0 victory over Turkey, and Japan secured a comeback draw against the Netherlands in a match with four goals.
Despite the excitement of the opening weekend, all eyes are on Erling Haaland. Norway returns to the World Cup after a 28-year absence, last competing in 1998. Haaland, Norway’s standout striker, expressed the significance of this tournament for both himself and his country’s fans.
In an ESPN interview, Haaland shared his feelings on Norway’s qualification, noting the absence he felt during previous tournaments like the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the Euros in 2024. He emphasized the personal and national importance of this moment, highlighting that Norway’s young fans will now experience their country on football’s biggest stage.
Haaland said, “I never experienced Norway being at a World Cup in my lifetime. I’m just happy now that we qualified, and all the young Norwegian kids can experience how it is to have their country there. You have these things that you remember from the World Cup, and hopefully, now we can be a part of these amazing moments. I want to create something special there together with the whole nation, and hopefully we can make that happen.”
Norway’s matches in Group I promise excitement. Their opening match against Iraq is on Tuesday, June 16. Next, they will play Senegal on Monday, June 22, at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, followed by a highly anticipated match against France on Friday, June 26, at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The France showdown, featuring Haaland versus Mbappe, is one of the most awaited group stage matches of the tournament. Fans are eagerly anticipating this headliner, expecting a thrilling encounter between the two football stars.
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