New Delhi: The race for the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is starting to take shape after the first round of 32-team matches in the first eight groups, with the first historic breakthrough in 68 years on Monday.A total of 16 matches have been played in the 48-team expansion tournament so far, while the remaining four groups are yet to begin their campaigns. Defending champions Argentina, along with former winners France and England, are among the heavyweights still waiting to begin their World Cup journey.
The historic day sees four draws.
Monday saw an unusual sequence as all four matches ended without a winner, marking the first time since June 15, 1958 that there have been four four-match draws on a matchday at the World Cup.The day opened with one of the tournament’s biggest upsets as debutants Cape Verde held European champions and world No. 2 Spain to a goalless draw in Atlanta.Belgium then survived an upset against Egypt, Romelu Lukaku’s immediate impact helping the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw after Imam Ashour put the Pharaohs ahead.Uruguay also had to fight back as Maximiliano Araujo struck late on to salvage a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in Miami.In the final game of the day, Iran came from behind twice to earn a thrilling 2-2 draw against New Zealand at the Sophie Stadium in Los Angeles.With only one game played by each side in the first eight groups, the standings are tightly packed. However, the latest results have underlined that there are no easy matches on football’s biggest stage.As the rest of the groups prepare to get underway and giants like Argentina, France and England take the field, the battle for places in the Round of 32 promises to intensify in the coming days.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Points Table After Iran vs New Zealand Match:
