25 resultsfor “World Cup 2026 opening match predictions”
opening group games **BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton is predicting the outcome of all 104 games at the Fifa World Cup 2026.** He starts with the scores for the first matches
Prediction** Quarterfinals  Qatar’s Akram Afif celebrates scoring in the Asian Cup final in 2024 [Molly Darlington/Reuters] ### **⚽** Qatar - World Cup appearances: 2 (2022, 2026) - Best finish: Group
prediction ](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Prediction-3-1781139108.png?w=756&resize=756%2C754&quality=80) Image source: Opta website ## What else is shaping the World Cup? While the opening ceremony and first matches take centre stage, they are far from the only stories defining this World
match is against Algeria. ## ⚽️ BELGIUM **World Cup Appearances:** 15 (1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026) **Best finish:** Third place **Overall World Cup record
predictable, low-engagement affairs for the opening half of the 39-day tournament. Additionally, expanding the format could lead to easier, boring routes to the knockouts. For example, a team could draw all three
opening matches. ***Off the pitch*** **USA** | Ahead of the co-hosts first game against Paraguay, Sid Lowe sat down with head US coach Mauricio Pochettino. [They discuss his strange path](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/10/mauricio-pochettino-no-one-sees-the-usa-as-a-contender-but-why-not) to managing
2026 South Africa players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-02T162223Z_261121934_RC25JLABVPX9_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-WORLDCUP-GROUPA-SAFRICA-1781069658.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C513&quality=80) South Africa are among the 10 African nations – the most ever – at this FIFA World Cup
opener, having beaten Kosovo and Guatemala in their pre-World Cup friendlies. Before that, they beat Denmark and Ireland on penalties in the UEFA qualifying playoffs, and also thrashed Gibraltar. South Korea, on the other
opener against Iraq is a must-win ahead of a [tough task against Senegal](/sports/2026/5/21/sadio-mane-kalidou-koulibaly-star-picks-in-senegals-world-cup-squad), who boast a rock-solid defence and blistering pace in attack, and lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy
opener against [Senegal](/sports/2026/5/27/how-senegal-became-genuine-world-cup-2026-contenders-at-a-cost) should provide a stiff test as the African side are ranked 14th in the world and are captained by former Liverpool legend Sadio Mane. France are also haunted by their defeat
2026 groups: Which teams are favourites to progress? A record 48 teams will contest this summer’s World Cup, with 12 groups making up the first stage of the tournament. Twelve seeded teams are spread
predicts many soccer lovers in the area will stay home out of caution. Queens has been a target of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown; some of his own players have been swept
2026 qualifier against Serbia](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/870/cpsprodpb/c5c9/live/f399b230-5565-11f1-87d0-5140b8b5664e.jpg)Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Eberechi Eze has produced for Tuchel, scoring three goals in World Cup qualifying Apart from a few exceptions, including perhaps another Manchester City
2026. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ap_6a1d7c22988b3-1780317218.jpg?w=770&resize=770%2C513&quality=80) Bouaddi, left, in action with Red Star Belgrade’s Tomas Haendel in a Europa League playoff in February [Darko Vojinovic/AP Photo] ## Hakimi: The world’s best right back
2026 FIFA World Cup about to get under way, many fans in England and Scotland are honing their strategy to balance late kick-offs with work the next morning. Matches are happening across
2026-1776670778](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/INTERACTIVE-Football-FIFA-How-teams-are-group-World-Cup-2026-1776670778.png?quality=80) ## The battle for number 10 Bellingham is perhaps the most effective out of several talented England number 10s, but the 22-year-old has had a frustrating club season
World Cup, Japan claimed [famous wins](/sports/2022/12/2/miracle-in-doha-japan-revels-in-stunning-world-cup-progress) over Spain and Germany in the group stage to top the standings, and were only stopped in the last 16 by Croatia on penalties. Japan
2026-1776671102](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/INTERACTIVE-Football-FIFA-Teams-that-have-qualified-for-the-World-Cup-2026-1776671102.png?quality=80) [Al Jazeera] ## What’s the price range of World Cup tickets? When the tickets first went on sale, in December, the prices ranged from $140 for category
2026 World Cup will have a "chilling effect". - Attribution [World Cup](/sport/football/world-cup) - Posted 10 hours ago10h - Comments [1419](/sport/football/articles/c3r3yj9xgy2o#comments) ![A general view of MetLife Stadium during the Club World Cup final between Chelsea
2026 World Cup is here and bigger than ever as 48 nations compete for the biggest prize in football in the United States, Canada and Mexico.** The BBC is home to the best coverage