The opening week of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has already produced drama, plenty of surprises and unforgettable moments that make this tournament one of the biggest spectacles in sports.
Over the past week across the United States, Canada and Mexico sold out stadiums, loyal traveling supporters and electric atmosphere have helped transform cities into soccer capitals for this year’s FIFA World Cup. Fans have spent hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on tickets to witness soccer history in North America. For the first round of the World cup, these matches have not been disappointing for soccer fans.
So far, Lionel Messi recorded the first World Cup hat trick of his legendary career and the first of the tournament. The Democratic Republic of the Congo earned a historic draw against Cristiano Ronaldo and a dominant Portugal side. Cape Verde stunned one of the favorites, Spain with a scoreless result that ranks among the tournament’s earliest surprises. Mexico became one of the first nations to advance to the knockout rounds after defeating South Korea 1-0, while results later that evening officially eliminated Haiti and Türkiye from the tournament.
United States joins
The United States men’s national team secured their place in the knockout stage Friday afternoon with a 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle, continuing what has become one of the strongest starts in the team’s history. With six points through the first two matches, the Americans sit atop Group D and have now won back to back World Cup matches for the first time since the inaugural tournament in 1930.
“But today even if I am not American, after the game I was emotional because I think the atmosphere was amazing, the fans were amazing, the warm reception in the way that they support us and in the way they celebrate the victory they make it feel very emotional,” Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino said. “I think that was an amazing and perfect connection between the energy from the stand and the team.”
Notably, they accomplished this feat without one of their biggest stars. Christian Pulisic was unavailable due to a calf injury, forcing Pochettino to adjust his lineup against an Australian side that entered the match fresh off an opening match victory over Türkiye.
An early own goal gave the United States the lead before 21-year-old Alex Freeman added another before halftime, continuing his emergence as one of the tournament’s breakout young players.
Through two matches, the United States has scored six goals, tied a record for most goals in the group stage and showed they have the ability to win in multiple different ways against two entirely different styled opponents.
Against Paraguay, the Americans overwhelmed their opponent with attacking firepower. Against Australia, the US relied on organization, pressure and defensive discipline. “I think we need to keep, you know, believing and approach every single day that we were approaching from day one, believing that we can win,” Pochettino said.
Those qualities have become increasingly important as the tournament progresses and the competition grows stronger.
While the World Cup’s opening matches have belonged to stars such as Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, it also belonged to emerging nations, unexpected results and passionate supporters who have created memorable scenes throughout North America.
For the United States and Mexico, however, the biggest story is simple. The host nations are heading to the knockout rounds. “There’s been friendlies that we’ve played [at home] where we’ve been outnumbered,” United States midfielder Tyler Adams said. “To have a whole nation behind you, that’s something so special.”
After years of preparation leading into a home World Cup, the Americans have passed their first major test. With a place in the Round of 32 secured and momentum continuing to build, relief is beginning to grow that this run may only be getting started.
