FIFA World Cup 2026 Points Table: Updated Standings After Group Stage Round 1

As his 39th birthday approaches, Argentina’s captain could not resist one last crack at football's biggest prize and he produced a memorable hat-trick in Kansas City.

With 75 goals, a record number of opening-round draws and several shock results, the first 24 matches of FIFA World Cup 2026 have offered a glimpse into a tournament where reputation counts for little and surprises lurk around every corner.

A dig into the Opta data has revealed some facts that may not have been immediately apparent from the scorelines.

Rather than exposing a shortage of quality, the opening fixtures have underscored the growing depth of the international game, with several of the tournament's less-heralded sides proving far more competitive than many anticipated.