The opening round of the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup offered fans three completely different scenarios, yet equally thrilling matches in groups E and F. The games took place in the USA and Mexico, where teams demonstrated both flawless technique and an incredible will to win.
Netherlands and Japan: drama until the last second
The Netherlands and Japan national teams, competing in Group F, delivered a super-dramatic match at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington. After a goalless first half, a carousel of goals began immediately after the break. The "Oranje" took the lead twice: first, Virgil van Dijk scored his debut goal in major tournaments (51st minute), and then a precise strike by Krisencio Summerwill (64th minute) put the Dutch back in the lead.
However, the unyielding Asians found an answer each time. First, Keito Nakamura equalized in the 57th minute, and right at the end of the match, in the 88th minute, Daichi Kamada saved Japan from defeat, securing a draw.
The Netherlands continued their unique unbeaten streak in regular time at World Cups, which has lasted since 2014. Meanwhile, the Japanese failed to start with a victory for the first time in the last three World Cups.
Sweden: triumphant start and record victory
The Swedish national team, which reached this World Cup by beating Ukraine in the qualification playoffs, started the tournament with supreme confidence in Monterrey, Mexico. Graham Potter's charges left Tunisia with no chances, staging a spectacular rout with a score of 5:1.
Yassin Ayari opened the scoring in the 7th minute, and then Alexander Isak doubled the advantage (30th minute). Although Omar Rekik scored before halftime (43rd minute) and brought back the intrigue, the second half became a benefit for the "blue and yellows". Viktor Gyokeres (59th minute), Mattias Svanberg (84th minute), and Ayari again, completing his brace in the 90+6th minute, sealed the victory.
For Sweden, this is the biggest victory at World Cups since the distant 1994, which allowed them to take sole command of the Group F standings.
Ecuador vs Ivory Coast: a battle of bad luck and a decisive strike
The match in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field turned into a real battle of tension and bad luck. The Ecuadorians significantly outplayed their opponents in the first half, but the ball stubbornly refused to go into the net. Spectators witnessed a rare anomaly — four hits on the goal frame in a row.
The Africans were saved by the post and crossbar three times after shots from John Eboah, Alan Minda, and Enner Valencia, and then the Ivorian Elié Waï hit the crossbar. The fate of the confrontation was decided by the only goal scored by the 19-year-old "Manchester United" winger Amad Diallo, who brought the Ivory Coast vital three points in the 90th minute.
Recall that in the first match of this group, Germany crushed Curaçao with a score of 7:1. Earlier, we also reported on how the DRC national team shocked with an extravagant arrival at WC-2026.