The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage continued Thursday June 18 with four matches across US and Mexican venues, as the expanded 48-team tournament nears the end of its opening round with several group standings still unresolved heading into the final matchday.
Today’s fixtures include Czechia vs. South Africa in Atlanta at noon ET, Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET in Los Angeles, Canada vs. Qatar at 6 p.m. ET in Vancouver, and Mexico vs. South Korea at 11 p.m. ET in Zapopan, Mexico.
The tournament has produced more than 50 goals across 18 group stage matches so far, averaging 2.8 goals per game, above the 2022 Qatar World Cup average of 2.7 and the highest average since the 1998 France tournament.
Group Stage Results So Far
Portugal leads Group A with six points after two matches, defeating both the Czech Republic 3-1 and Ghana 4-0. Cristiano Ronaldo, competing in his sixth and final World Cup at 41, scored in both matches and now has 14 career World Cup goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 within reach.
The United States bounced back from an opening draw against Uruguay with a 3-0 win over Bolivia, putting them in position to advance from Group F with a win or draw against Saudi Arabia in their final group game on June 21.
Brazil, Argentina, France, England, and Spain all won their opening matches. Germany drew 1-1 with Japan in what many are calling the shock result of the opening round, with Japan’s Ayase Ueda equalizing in the 88th minute from a corner.
Upsets and Standout Performers
Morocco’s 2-1 win over Argentina in Group D is the most discussed result of the tournament so far. Argentina, the defending champion, was dominated in the second half after taking a first-half lead through Lautaro Martinez. Achraf Hakimi’s free kick winner in the 79th minute ended Argentina’s streak of 36 unbeaten matches.
Lamine Yamal, Spain’s 18-year-old winger, has two goals and two assists in two matches. His performance has generated the strongest individual buzz of any player through the first week of the tournament, already generating comparisons to Messi’s 2006 World Cup debut performance.
Canada’s Jonathan David has scored in both of his country’s matches, including a stunning 30-meter volley against Peru that became the tournament’s most shared video clip on social media within 24 hours of the match.
TV Ratings and Attendance
Fox Sports reported that the USA vs. Uruguay opening match drew 18.7 million viewers across Fox and Telemundo, the most-watched group stage opener in US World Cup history. The combined figure across all platforms including streaming exceeded 22 million.
Attendance at US venues has averaged 67,300 per match, above FIFA’s projection of 65,000. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey sold out for its two group stage matches within hours of the tournament beginning. AT&T Stadium in Dallas has hosted the two highest-attendance matches of the tournament so far.
FIFA confirmed that the 2026 World Cup will track all match data through real-time player tracking sensors embedded in the match balls and in sensor arrays around all 16 host stadiums, providing the most comprehensive statistical dataset of any sporting event in history.
Group Stage Standings (Selected Groups)
| Group | Leader | Points | Runner-Up | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Portugal | 6 | Czechia | 3 |
| B | Spain | 6 | Switzerland | 3 |
| C | France | 4 | Australia | 3 |
| D | Morocco | 6 | Poland | 3 |
| E | Brazil | 6 | Mexico | 3 |
| F | USA | 4 | Uruguay | 4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch the 2026 World Cup in the US?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is broadcast in English on Fox Sports (Fox and FS1) and in Spanish on Telemundo and Peacock. Streaming is available through Fox Sports app (with a TV provider login), Fubo TV, and Peacock. The Fox Sports app allows free streaming of selected matches for authenticated cable subscribers.
When does the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 begin?
The Round of 32 in the expanded 48-team format begins June 26 and runs through July 2. The expanded format adds a Round of 32 that does not exist in the traditional 32-team World Cup. The top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-place finishers, advance to the Round of 32.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup features 48 teams, expanded from 32 teams in all previous tournaments since 1998. The 48 teams are divided into 16 groups of three, with each team playing two group stage matches. The format was controversial among purists but has produced competitive group finishes and more teams from underrepresented confederations.
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